The genetic research progress in benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes

Abstract

Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes(BECT)is the most common epilepsy syndrome in childhood.The seizures are manifested with facial jerking and twitching to guttural noises, salivating with inability to speak and twitched limbs.The episode is proved to be closely associated with sleep, especially the non-rapid eye movement period.Centrotemporal spikes are the hallmark of the syndrome of BECT.Although the pathogenesis of BECT is still unknown, it is generally acknowledged that hereditary features play a critical role in the occurrence of BECT.In this article we are going to summarize the progresses of BECT in the fields of clinical genetics, cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Key words: Benign partial epilepsy of childhood with centro-temporal spikes; Genetics; Epilepsy