Myoclonic-atonic Epilepsy (MAE), or Doose syndrome, is an epilepsy syndrome of early childhood that is often resistant to medication (Refractory). For this reason, it can be difficult to treat. Doose syndrome is idiopathic generalized epilepsy, meaning that there is no known cause for the seizures (idiopathic) and the seizures originate from all over the brain (generalized) as opposed to coming from one focal area. The onset of Doose syndrome occurs commonly in the first five years of life, with the mean age being three. Statistics show that it usually affects children who have previously developed normally, and boys are twice as likely as girls to develop Doose syndrome. In some cases, other family members (immediate or extended) may also have seizures, but not usually.
As researchers learn more about Doose syndrome, new treatment options become available and the outcomes continue to improve for our children. Parents new to Doose syndrome can be encouraged knowing that many families and their doctors have found successful ways to treat this challenging disorder. You can read about families’ personal experiences, learn about treatment options, find ways to connect with other parents and gain insight into the successful management of Doose syndrome on this website.