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Copyright 1990, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2008
Synonyms of Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy
- Epilepsy, Myoclonic Progressive Familial
- Myoclonic Epilepsy
- Myoclonic Progressive Familial Epilepsy
- Myoclonus Epilepsy
- Progressive Familial Myoclonic Epilepsy
Disorder Subdivisions
- Baltic Myoclonus Epilepsy
- Lafora Body Disease
- Lafora Disease, Included
- Lundborg-Unverricht Disease, Included
- Myoclonic Epilepsy, Hartung Type
- Unverricht Disease
- Unverricht-Lundborg Disease
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.
Organizations related to Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy
- Epilepsy Canada
2255B Queen St E, Suite 336
Toronto
Ontario None M4E 1G3
Phone #: (87-7) -734-0873
800 #: 877-734-0873
e-mail: epilepsy@epilepsy.ca
Home page: http://www.epilepsy.ca
- Epilepsy Foundation
8301 Professional Place
Landover MD 20785
Phone #: 301-459-3700
800 #: 800-332-1000
e-mail: info@efa.org
Home page: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: ordr@od.nih.gov
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Default.aspx
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda MD 20824
Phone #: 301-496-5751
800 #: 800-352-9424
e-mail: me20t@nih.gov
Home page: 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
Phone #: 217-545-7635
800 #: --
e-mail: oms@siumed.edu
Home page: http://www.omsusa.org
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