Idiopathic focal epilepsies

Among idiopathic epilepsies, partial forms with a genetic background are of great clinical importance due to their high incidence, for example for Rolandic epilepsy and other benign partial epilepsy syndromes. In addition, the first disease-causing ion channel mutations have been identified, e.g., mutation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the case of autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy or mutation of two potassium channel subunits in benign neonatal seizures. Genetic analyses of patients with epilepsy contribute not only to a better understanding of the pathophysiology but also help genetic counseling and may also influence therapeutic decisions in selected rare cases.