[Individualization of so-called benign and functional epilepsy at different ages. Appraisal of variations corresponding the predisposition for epilepsy at these ages].

The different types of epilepsy encountered during the various phases of life are presented and the distinction is made between benign and, essentially if not exclusively, functional epilepsy related to a genetically-transmitted predisposition to epilepsy: (1) the primary generalized epilepsies and (2) the benign partial epilepsies with functional foci. In the case of primary generalized epilepsy, seizures are the result of a discharge, generalized from the onset, of the entire cortex in individuals genetically predisposed to epilepsy. The seizures present (1) in older children, adolescents and young adults, the well-known characteristics of Petit Mal and/or Grand Mal; (2) in neonates, infants and young children, a different type of generalized (or hemigeneralized) seizures, the semeiology of which remains unclear. In the case of benign partial epilepsy, the seizures result from an epileptic discharge in a cortical area having a low convulsant threshold in patients genetically predisposed to epilepsy. The semeiology of the seizures varies as a function of the patient's age and the site of the epileptic focus: -in neonates: benign partial epilepsy wih an erratic EEG focus, e.g. 'Fifth day seizures'; -in infants: 'cryptogenic' benign partial epilepsy, which remains poorly defined; -in children: (a) benign partial epilepsy with nocturnal motor seizures and a central EEG focus; (b) benign partial epilepsy with affective seizures and a temporal focus; (c) benign partial epilepsy with visual seizures (often coupled with signs of basilar migraine) and an occipital focus; -in adolescents: benign partial motor epilepsy (often versive) often without an interictal EEG focus or with generalized spike-waves; benign partial epilepsies do not occur after adolescence.