Synonyms

• Myoclonic Epilepsy
• Myoclonic Progressive Familial Epilepsy
• Myoclonus Epilepsy
• Progressive Familial Myoclonic Epilepsy
• Epilepsy, Myoclonic Progressive Familial

Disorder Subdivisions

• Myoclonic Epilepsy, Hartung Type
• Lafora Disease, Included
• Baltic Myoclonus Epilepsy
• Lafora Body Disease
• Unverricht Disease
• Unverricht-Lundborg Disease
• Lundborg-Unverricht Disease, Included

General Discussion

Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is a group of conditions involving the central nervous system and representing more than a dozen different diseases. These diseases share certain features, including a worsening of symptoms over time and the presence of both muscle contractions (myoclonus) and seizures (epilepsy). Patients may have more than one type of seizure, such as petit mal or grand mal. PME is progressive, but the rate of progression may be quick or slow, depending on the underlying disease.

Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is different from myoclonic epilepsy. In myoclonic epilepsy, the myoclonic jerking motions occur as part of the seizure. In PME, myoclonus occurs separately from seizures, the two respond differently to the same drugs, they evolve differently during the natural history of the disease, and they cause different problems for the patient. Some drugs that are good for seizures, e.g. phenytoin and carbamazepine, may tend to make the myoclonus worse.

Resources

Epilepsy Foundation
4351 Garden City Drive
Landover, MD 20785
Tel: (301)459-3700
Fax: (301)577-2684
Tel: (800)332-1000
TDD: (800)332-2070
Email: postmaster@efa.org
Internet: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

National Pediatric Myoclonus Center
SIU School of Medicine
Dept. of Neurology, Div. of Ped. Neurology
PO Box 19643
Springfield, IL 62794-9643
USA
Tel: 2175457635
Fax: 2175451903
Email: oms@siumed.edu
Internet: http://www.omsusa.org

Epilepsy Canada
1470 Peel Street
Suite 745
Montreal
Quebec, H3A 1T1
Canada
Tel: 5148457855
Fax: 5148457866
Tel: 8777340873
Email: epilepsy@epilepsy.ca
Internet: http://www.epilepsy.ca

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  1/29/2008
Copyright  1990, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2008National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.