Genetic counseling in the epilepsies. I. Genetic risks.

Rules are proposed for genetic counseling in the epilepsies. In a first section, some attempts at subdividing epilepsies by dichotomous classifications are discussed critically. Then, the typical EEG patterns found in epileptic diseases as well as their genetic bases are described. The third section comprises various clearly defined and sufficiently well-described epileptic syndromes. In a fourth section, a kind of "record sheet" is suggested to help the genetic counselor in planning his procedure. Throughout this review, we have stressed that genetic counseling in the epilepsies should not be confined to risk assessment but should include considerations on course of the disease, prognosis, and chances of therapy.