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ALL DEFINITIONS

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Definition

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a type of epilepsy that typically begins in adolescence and is characterized by myoclonic jerks, which are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions. These jerks usually occur shortly after waking up and may be accompanied by generalized tonic-clonic seizures or absence seizures. JME is often genetic in origin and can be managed with appropriate antiepileptic medications.