Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Generalized Spikes and Waves

  • Conference paper
Genetics of the Epilepsies

Abstract

In 1951 — in the early days of clinical electroencephalography — Lennox [21] showed in family and twin studies that the risk for manifesting spikes and waves (SW) is, in part, genetic. In identical twins, he found a concordance rate of 84%, as opposed to 0% in dizygotic twins [22]. Since then, SW have been considered a specific, prototypical marker of the genetic liability to manifest seizures. Familial incidence and distribution of SW are used as one basis for genetic modelling in this context. For the most part, efforts to develop explanatory genetic models have started from the assumption that SW were a genetically simple, homogeneous bioelectric phenomenon. This assumption then led to the concept of a homogeneous centrencephalic trait. Later findings, however, disproved this concept: SW during rest and hyperventilation on the one hand and SW elicited by photic stimulation on the other hand could be differentiated genetically [8, 30]. Furthermore, there are a number of arguments supporting the complex and heterogeneous nature of spontaneous — not photically evoked — SW. Meanwhile, this alternative to initial simple assumptions can be supported.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Andermann E, Straszak M (1982) Family studies of epileptiform EEG abnormalities and photosensitivity in focal epilepsy. In: Akimoto H, Kazamatsuri H, Seino M, Ward A (eds) Advances in epileptology. XIIIth Epilepsy International Symposium. Raven Press, New York, pp 105–112

    Google Scholar 

  2. Baier WK, Doose H (1987) Interdependence of different genetic EEG patterns in siblings of epileptic patients. J Electroenceph Clin Neurophysiol 66: 483–488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Benninger CK, Matthis P, Scheffner D (1982) EEG findings in children of epileptic parents. In: Anderson VE, Hauser WA, Penry JK, Sing CF (eds) Genetic basis of the epilepsies. Raven Press, New York, pp 95–99

    Google Scholar 

  4. Christen H-J, Baier WK, Doose H (1988) Photosensitivity in siblings of photosensitive epileptic and non-epileptic children (in preparation)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Doose H, Voelzke E, Petersen CE, Herzberger E (1966) Fieberkrämpfe and Epilepsie. Arch Psychiat Nervenkr 208:400–412, 413–432

    Google Scholar 

  6. Doose H, Gerken H, Voelzke E (1968) Genetics of centrencephalic epilepsy in childhood. Epilepsia 9: 107–115

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Doose H, Gerken H, Voelzke E (1972) On the genetics of EEG-anomalies. I. Abnormal theta rhythms. Neuropaediatrie 3: 386–401

    Google Scholar 

  8. Doose H, Gerken H (1973) On the genetics of EEG-anomalies. IV. Photoconvulsive reaction. Neuropaediatrie 4: 162–171

    Google Scholar 

  9. Doose H, Ritter K, Voelzke E (1983) EEG longitudinal studies in febrile convulsions. Genetic aspects. Neuropediatrics 14: 81–87

    Google Scholar 

  10. Doose H, Baier WK (1987) Genetic factors in epilepsies with primarily generalized minor seizures. Neuropediatrics 18 (Suppl I): 1–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Doose H, Baier WK (1989) Absences (this volume)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Eeg-Olofsson O, Petersen I, Sellden U (1971) The development of the electroencephalogram in normal children from the age of 1 through 15 years. Paroxysmal activity. Neuropaediatrie 2: 375–404

    Google Scholar 

  13. Frantzen E, Lennox-Buchthal M, Nygaard A (1968) Longitudinal EEG and clinical study of children with febrile convulsions. Electroenceph clin Neurophysiol 24: 197–212

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Gerken H, Doose H (1973) On the genetics of EEG anomalies. III. Spikes and waves in the resting record and/or during hyperventilation. Neuropaediatrie 4: 88–97

    Google Scholar 

  15. Gloor P (1979) Generalized epilepsy with spike and wave discharge: a reinterpretation of its electrographic and clinical manifestation. Epilepsia 20: 571–588

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Gloor P (1982) Towards a unifying concept of epileptogenesis. In: Akimoto H et al. (eds) Advances in epileptology: XIIIth Epilepsy International Symposium. Raven Press, New York, pp 83–86

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gundel A, Doose H (1986) Genetic EEG patterns in febrile convulsions–a multivariate analysis. Neuropediatrics 17: 3–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Jung R, Tönnies JF (1950) Hirnelektrische Untersuchungen über Entstehung and Erhaltung von Krampfentladungen: Die Vorgänge am Reizort and die Bremsfähigkeit des Gehirnes. Arch Psychiatr Z Neurol 185: 701–735

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kajitani T (1984) Different EEG patterns showing the genetic disposition to febrile convulsions. Brain Dev 6: 67

    Google Scholar 

  20. Laplane R, Salbreux R (1963) Les convulsions hyperpyrétiques. Rev Pract (Paris) 13: 753761

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lennox WG (1951) The heredity of epilepsy as told by relatives and twins. J Amer Med Ass 146: 529–536

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Lennox WG (1960) Epilepsy and related disorders. Little, Brown, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  23. Lipinsky C, Benninger C, Janz D, Scheffner D, Seminario O, Stolzis L (1976) Historical data and EEG findings in children of epileptic and nonepileptic parents. In: Janz D (ed) Epileptology. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 29–32

    Google Scholar 

  24. Metrakos JD, Metrakos K (1960) Genetics of convulsive disorders. I. Introduction, problems, methods, and base lines. Neurology (Minneap.) 10: 228–240

    Google Scholar 

  25. Metrakos K, Metrakos JD (1961) Genetics of convulsive disorders. II. Genetic and electroencephalographic studies in centrencephalic epilepsy. Neurology (Minneap.) 11: 464–483

    Google Scholar 

  26. Metrakos K, Metrakos JD (1974) Genetics of epilepsy. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW (eds) The epilepsies, handbook of clinical neurology, vol 15. North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp 429–439

    Google Scholar 

  27. Quesney LF (1984) Pathophysiology of generalized photosensitive epilepsy in the cat. Epilepsia 25: 61–69

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Quesney LF, Andermann F, Lal S, Prelevic S (1980) Transient abolition of generalized photosensitive epileptic discharge in humans by apomorphine, a dopamin-receptor agonist. Neurology 30: 1169–1174

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Quesney LF, Andermann F, Gloor P (1981) Dopaminergic mechanism in generalized photosensitive epilepsy. Neurology 31: 1542–1544

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Rabending G, Klepel H (1970) Fotokonvulsivreaktion and Fotomyoklonus. Altersabhängige genetisch determinierte Varianten der gesteigerten Fotosensibilität. Neuropädiatrie 2: 164–172

    Google Scholar 

  31. Scheffner D (1982) EEG in offspring (newborns, infants, and children) of epileptic parents. In: Janz D, Bossi L, Dam M, Helge H, Richens A, Schmidt D (eds) Epilepsy, pregnancy and the child. Raven, New York, pp 449–455

    Google Scholar 

  32. Tsuboi T (1977) Primary generalized epilepsy with sporadic myoclonias of myoclonic petit mal type. In: Becker PE, Lenz W, Vogel F, Wendt GG (eds) Topics in human genetics, vol IV. Thieme, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  33. Tsuboi T, Endo S (1977) Incidence of seizures and EEG anomalies among offspring of epileptic patients. Hum Genet 36: 173–189

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Neuropädiatrie, Universität Kiel, Schwanenweg 20, D-2300, Kiel, Germany

    H. Doose & W. K. Baier

Authors
  1. H. Doose
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. K. Baier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurologische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow, Freie Universität Berlin, Spandauer Damm 130, D-1000, Berlin 19, Germany

    Gertrud Beck-Mannagetta M.D. (Assistant Professor of Neurology) & Dieter Janz M.D. (Professor of Neurology) (Assistant Professor of Neurology) &  (Professor of Neurology)

  2. Dight Laboratories, University of Minnesota, 400 Church Street S.E., 55455, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    V. Elving Anderson M.D. (Professor of Genetics and Cell Biology) (Professor of Genetics and Cell Biology)

  3. Abteilung für Neuropädiatrie, Universität Kiel, Schwanenweg 20, D-2300, Kiel, Germany

    Hermann Doose M.D. (Professor of Pediatrics) (Professor of Pediatrics)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Doose, H., Baier, W.K. (1989). Generalized Spikes and Waves. In: Beck-Mannagetta, G., Anderson, V.E., Doose, H., Janz, D. (eds) Genetics of the Epilepsies. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-95553-2_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-95553-2_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-95555-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-95553-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation