Classifying epileptic syndromes: problems and a neurobiologic solution.

Because the effectiveness of an antiepileptic drug in controlling a particular seizure type and the prognosis for remission may differ between epileptic syndromes, accurate syndrome classification is crucial. However, a lack of universally accepted diagnostic criteria for some syndromes makes precise classification impossible in many patients. When syndromic classification is not possible, it is often more useful to consider genetic, clinical, electroencephalographic, neuropsychologic, radiologic, and other laboratory factors in characterizing the epileptic condition and selecting the optimal treatment.