Janz syndrome treatment and diagnostics abroad

Janz syndrome, or juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, is a common form of generalized epilepsy that usually begins in adolescence. Its typical sign is sudden brief jerks of the arms and shoulders, especially in the morning after waking. With the right medication, seizures can be controlled in most patients.

Below are clinics abroad with epilepsy centres: compare their diagnostic options, doctors and prices.

Symptoms of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

The condition usually starts between the ages of 12 and 18. There are three types of seizures:

• Myoclonic jerks — sudden twitches of the arms that make a person drop or throw objects; awareness is preserved.
• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures — with loss of consciousness and convulsions; they occur in most patients.
• Absences — brief blank spells with a vacant stare, in some patients.

Seizures are often triggered by sleep deprivation, early waking, alcohol, stress and, in some people, flashing lights (photosensitivity).

Causes

Janz syndrome is one of the genetic (idiopathic) generalized epilepsies: it is not caused by a tumor, injury or other brain damage. Some patients have relatives with epilepsy.

Diagnosis

• EEG — the key test, showing typical generalized discharges; video-EEG or recording after sleep deprivation and with photic stimulation is often used;
• brain MRI — usually normal, done to rule out other causes of seizures;
• blood tests — before and during drug treatment.

Treatment

Treatment is based on broad-spectrum antiseizure medicines (such as valproate, levetiracetam and lamotrigine). The choice depends on sex, age and pregnancy plans: valproate is generally avoided in girls and women who could become pregnant. Some drugs for focal seizures (for example, carbamazepine) can worsen myoclonic jerks, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters.

Treatment is usually long-term: seizures often return after the medicine is stopped. Lifestyle matters too — enough sleep and limited alcohol. If seizures continue despite treatment, a specialist centre reviews the diagnosis and doses, considers other medicines and, in selected cases, vagus nerve stimulation. Surgery is not used for this type of epilepsy.

Why patients go to centres abroad

• long-term video-EEG monitoring to confirm the diagnosis;
• a second opinion from an epileptologist when treatment is not working;
• therapy planned with pregnancy plans in mind.

See clinics and doctors in the neurology section; general information is on the epilepsy page.

Send a request with your EEG reports and medication list — Clinics Direct coordinators will help you arrange an epileptologist's consultation abroad free of charge.