The genetics of benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes

The genetics of BCECTS is considered based on earlier genetic studies on epilepsy in general, and on earlier and recent genetic and incidence studies of the syndrome. It has been suggested that the EEG manifestation of centro-temporal epileptiform activity apparently is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with age dependent penetrance. When, however, the full syndrome is considered there is definitely no evidence for a specific single gene inheritance. On the contrary, the inheritance probably is multifactorial as are most other epileptic syndromes.