ILAE definition of the Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy Syndromes: Position statement by the ILAE Task Force on Nosology and Definitions

• DOI: 10.1111/epi.17236
• Publication Date: 2022-05-03T16:50:10Z
• Authors: Edouard Hirsch; Jacqueline French; Ingrid E. Scheffer; Alicia Bogacz; Taoufik Alsaadi; Michael R. Sperling; Fatema Abdulla; Sameer M. Zuberi; Eugen Trinka; Nicola Specchio; Ernest Somerville; Pauline Samia; Kate Riney; Rima Nabbout; Satish Jain; Jo M. Wilmshurst; Stephane Auvin; Samuel Wiebe; Emilio Perucca; Solomon L. Moshé; Paolo Tinuper; Elaine C. Wirrell
• Keywords: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; Idiopathic generalized epilepsy; Nosology; Childhood absence epilepsy

In 2017, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Classification of Epilepsies described "genetic generalized epilepsies" (GGEs), which contained "idiopathic (IGEs). The goal this paper is to delineate four syndromes comprising IGEs, namely childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic and epilepsy with tonic-clonic seizures alone. We provide updated diagnostic criteria for these IGE determined by expert consensus opinion ILAE's Task Force on Nosology Definitions (2017-2021) international external experts outside our Force. incorporate current knowledge from recent advances in genetic, imaging, electroencephalographic studies, together terminology classification epilepsies. Patients that do not fulfill one syndromes, but have one, or a combination, following seizure types: absence, myoclonic, myoclonic-tonic-clonic seizures, 2.5-5.5 Hz spike-wave should be classified as having GGE. Recognizing special grouping among GGEs helpful, they carry prognostic therapeutic implications.