Common form of childhood epilepsy. cf juvenile absence epilepsy.

One or more of:

1. Myoclonic jerks on waking and first hour of day, esp if tired
2. Absences (typical) in about half
3. Tonic-clonic, on waking and first hour of day, esp if tired

• Precipitated by alcohol, arousal!
• Mid teens, hence alcohol/arousal…
• 3-6 Hz spike and wave seen on EEG.
• Often photosensitive (40%), unlike Juvenile absence epilepsy.
• Very sensitive to valproate. Else lamotrigine, levetiracetam.
• Usually life long, despite the name.