Focal epilepsies, where seizures initiate in spatially limited networks, are the most frequent
epilepsy type, accounting for two-thirds of patients. Focal epilepsies have long been thought
to be acquired disorders; several focal epilepsy syndromes are now proven to be
(genetically heterogeneous) monogenic disorders. While earlier genetic studies have
demonstrated a strong contribution of ion channel and neurotransmitter receptor genes, or
synaptic secreted protein genes, later work has revealed a new class of genes encoding …