[Cognitive deficits are underestimated in children with benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes]

Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS) is, as the name suggests, usually considered benign. However, there is a growing awareness that this is not the case in all instances. Many of the children with BECTS have neuropsychological and linguistic dysfunctions, even after remission of the disease. In patients with classic BECTS, an association with GRIN2A-mutations is reported by several groups, suggesting a possible placement of BECTS at the mild end of an epileptic-aphasia spectrum. Awareness of the possible neuropsychological consequences of BECTS should be considered when treating these children.