New Epilepsy Syndrome Classification of International League Against Epilepsy: Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy Syndromes

The idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) have historically included the syndromes of childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone.The goal of this paper is to provide updated diagnostic criteria for the four syndromes of IGEs determined by the expert consensus opinion of the International League Against Epilepsy's Task Force on Nosology and Definitions (2017-2021).The IGEs have polygenic inheritance, with or without environmental factors.Development is typically normal.Seizure types include one or a combination of the following: absence, myoclonic, tonic-clonic, and myoclonic-tonic-clonic seizures.Electroencephalography shows generalized 2.5 to 5.5-Hz spike-waves, which may be activated by hyperventilation or photic stimulation.