A rare genetic progressive myoclonic epilepsy characterized by childhood onset of progressive dysarthria myoclonus ataxia seizures and cognitive decline. The disease takes a protracted course with patients surviving into adulthood developing signs and symptoms like psychosis with outbursts of prolonged agitation and screaming spasticity and hyperreflexia confusion mutism and incontinence. There are no visual disturbances. Muscle biopsy shows numerous periodic acid-Schiff-positive inclusions so-called Lafora bodies.
Data from Orphanet are used to provide information on a disease's name, synonym(s), and overview. Reference: Access aggregated data from Orphanet at Orphadata. Orphadata: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Available on http://www.orphadata.org. Data version August 2026
Newly diagnosed with
Early-onset Lafora body disease?
Our RARE Concierge Services Guides are available to assist you by providing information, resources and connections as you navigate your rare disease journey.
Advocacy Organizations
Access to Life NGO
Access to Life is Ukraine’s first patient advocacy organization for rare genetic epilepsies, anchored in Dravet syndrome and SCN1A-related conditions. We support 600+ families nationwide, advocate for a national clinical protocol and drug access, and are building Ukraine’s National Patient Resource Centre and Patient Registry for genetic epilepsies.
Chelsea’s Hope Lafora Children Research Fund
The Mission The mission of Chelsea’s Hope is to improve the lives of those affected by Lafora Disease and help accelerate the development of treatments.
Genetic Epilepsy Team Australia
Collaboration of research and care
Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc
The Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to bridge the gap to support, educate and advocate for individuals, families and caregivers of those living with epilepsy and other seizure related disorders. The Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to helping champions live a sustainable life through participation of essential supportive programs and service
Mickie?s Miracles
To help families get into Level IV Pediatric Epilepsy Centers for diagnosis and treatment urgently -- and provide support to families for every season of the pediatric epilepsy journey.
Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium
The Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (PERC) is a group of US pediatric epilepsy centers, researchers and professionals in field of epilepsy whose goal is to provide a network and infrastructure to facilitate collegial, collaborative practice-changing research that will provide answers needed to improve the care of children with epilepsy.
Rare Epilepsy Network (REN)
REN connects and empowers the rare epilepsy community to collaborate across research, care, education, and advocacy to improve outcomes for patients and families.
Uganda Alliance of Patients Organization
Supporting patients to access quality, safe and patient-centered healthcare services.
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Clinical Trials
For a list of clinical trials in this disease area, please click here.