SEIZURE TYPES AND EPILEPTIC SYNDROMES

The main epileptic syndromes occurring during brain maturation, i.e. d uring the neonatal period, infancy, childhood and adolescence, are rev iewed. The concept of epileptic syndromes is of pragmatic significance and helps the physician to select appropriate modes of investigation, to predict the outcome and to choose the treatment of first choice. A delineation of epilepsies based on physiopathologic mechanisms and on etiology remains the ultimate goal.