like other forms of epilepsy the cause is unknown in most cases of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. there are several factors that increase the likelihood of developing juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: about one in eight children with childhood absence epilepsy will later develop juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. people with family members affected by epilepsy are more likely to develop juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. genetics often plays a role in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. multiple genes have been identified that increase the risk.
what causes juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?