Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy

Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) is an uncommon, inherited form of epilepsy. People with ADNFLE have seizures that usually occur at night during sleep. Some people with ADNFLE also have seizures during the day. These seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and can vary from causing simple arousal from sleep, to dramatic muscle spasms and movements. The onset of ADNFLE ranges from infancy to adulthood, but most cases begin in childhood. Episodes tend to become milder and less frequent with age. It is diagnosed based on symptoms and the results of tests such as an EEG. ADNFLE is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and may be caused by a mutation in any of several genes. In most cases however, the genetic cause is not found. Seizures can usually be controlled with anti-seizure medications.