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Cognitive and behavioral outcomes of epileptic syndromes: implications for education and clinical practice

Frank M C Besag1

  • 1Twinwoods Health Resource Centre, Bedford, United Kingdom. FBesag@aol.com

Epilepsia
|November 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Epilepsy in children and adolescents impacts educational and social progress beyond seizure control.
  • Cognitive and behavioral factors are critical determinants of a child's overall development.
  • Various epilepsy syndromes present distinct prognoses regarding cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cognitive and behavioral outcomes associated with different childhood and adolescent epilepsy syndromes.
  • To highlight the significance of these impairments and the limited research available.
  • To emphasize the potential for early intervention to influence long-term outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing literature on epilepsy syndromes in childhood and adolescence.
  • It synthesizes information on cognitive and behavioral outcomes for specific syndromes.
  • It discusses the impact of these outcomes on educational and social progress.

Main Results:

  • West syndrome and Dravet syndrome (severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy) often lead to long-term cognitive and behavioral issues.
  • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome typically has a poor prognosis for cognitive and behavioral development.
  • Landau-Kleffner syndrome shows variable outcomes, including permanent speech impairment, and exists on a spectrum with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive and behavioral impairments are significant challenges in childhood epilepsy syndromes, yet understudied.
  • The prognosis for cognitive and behavioral outcomes varies significantly among different epilepsy types.
  • Early and effective treatment, including antiepileptic medication or surgery, may positively influence the long-term cognitive and behavioral trajectory for some syndromes.

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