The epileptic syndromes with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep: definition and management guidelines
P Van Bogaert1, A Aeby, V De Borchgrave
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, ULB-Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium. Pvanboga@ulb.ac.be
Abstract:
The authors propose to define the epileptic syndromes with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) as a cognitive or behavioral impairment acquired during childhood, associated with a strong activation of the interictal epileptiform discharges during NREM sleep--whatever focal or generalized--and not related to another factor than the presence of CSWS. The type of syndrome will be defined according to the neurological and neuropsychological deficit. These syndromes have to be classified among the localization-related epileptic syndromes. Some cases are idiopathic and others are symptomatic. Guidelines for work-up and treatment are proposed.
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