Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder worldwide; affecting at least 3% of the population. Epilepsy is characterized by unprovoked, recurring seizures, caused due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Idiopathic generalized epilepsy is a condition, wherein the exact cause of the seizures is not identifiable. In other words, the seizures are not associated with any structural brain lesions, or abnormal neurological symptoms. Instead, the MRI implies a normal neuropsychological status. For the most part, IGE is presumed to be due to a genetic cause, even though in some cases, a family history may not be present. IGE generally starts early in childhood. However, unlike other epilepsies, the seizures remit spontaneously by teenage years. The response to medication is also improved for IGE. The prognosis for these patients, therefore, is a much better one when compared to other forms of epilepsy. Several different subtypes are present within the IGEs, with differing electroclinical features.
Since MRI scans are of no use in diagnosing IGEs, electroencephalogram is the chief mode of diagnosis of the disease. The EEG may show epileptic discharge affecting the entire brain. The actual subtype of the IGE in the affected individual may have to be deduced from the clinical features, age of onset, and the type of seizures. Medication is in the form of anticonvulsant drugs. Surgery is considered as an option, if the medication does not work. Surgery involves removing the part of the brain that triggers the seizures. This usually means removal of the anterior temporal lobe, but may also involve hemispherectomy or corpus callosotomy.
