Epilepsy Syndromes

Epilepsy syndromes are a group of disorders which have seizure characteristics that are consistent enough to be recognized as a distinct clinical condition. They are defined based on the age of onset, seizure type, EEG pattern, cause, and response to treatment. The syndromes are used to describe and categorize seizure disorders so that proper diagnosis, treatment and prognosis can be determined. Epilepsy syndromes are important to recognize because they can help doctors and other healthcare professionals accurately diagnose and effectively treat people with epilepsy. Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment can improve a person’s quality of life and reduce the risks associated with the condition.