Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Cortical Source Analysis of High-Density EEG Recordings in Children
Published on: June 30, 2014
Outcome analysis of children with rolandic discharges on EEG: A real-world study
Wei Gu1, Jingjing Chen1, Wantong Tian2
1Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
Insights
Oxcarbazepine (OXC) and sodium valproate (VPA) are effective for treating multiple rolandic seizures, with OXC showing higher efficacy and lower failure rates than levetiracetam (LEV). Rolandic discharges are common in children with epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Central mid-temporal (rolandic) discharges on electroencephalogram (EEG) are associated with various pediatric neurological conditions.
- Rolandic epilepsy (RE) is a common epilepsy syndrome in children, often characterized by these EEG findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the comparative efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and sodium valproate (VPA) in managing patients with rolandic discharges.
- To determine the optimal initial pharmacotherapy for pediatric patients experiencing recurrent seizures associated with rolandic discharges.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 430 pediatric patients with rolandic discharges treated between February 2015 and February 2018.
- Patients were categorized into three treatment groups: LEV, OXC, and VPA, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.
- Outcomes assessed included seizure frequency, EEG results, and drug-related side effects.
Main Results:
- Rolandic discharges were present in 398/430 patients, with RE being the most common diagnosis.
- Levetiracetam (LEV) demonstrated a significantly higher failure rate as initial therapy compared to oxcarbazepine (OXC) and sodium valproate (VPA).
- Oxcarbazepine (OXC) showed higher overall efficacy than LEV, though none of the drugs fully controlled rolandic discharges; side effects were generally mild.
Conclusions:
- Rolandic discharges are frequently observed in children with rolandic epilepsy, febrile seizures, tic disorders, and ADHD.
- Patients with a single seizure event require no treatment; those with multiple seizures benefit from pharmacotherapy.
- Oxcarbazepine (OXC) is recommended as an effective initial antiepileptic drug for rolandic discharges due to its lower failure rate and significant efficacy.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of drugs for patients with central mid-temporal (rolandic) discharges detected by electroencephalogram (EEG).
Methods:
This retrospective study enrolled 430 patients with rolandic discharges, who were treated at the Neuroelectrophysiology Center of the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February 2015 to February 2018. Patients were divided into three groups according to medication: levetiracetam (LEV), oxcarbazepine (OXC) and sodium valproate (VPA). All patients were followed up for at least 2 years, and the seizure frequency, EEG results and side effects of drugs were recorded.
Results:
Rolandic epilepsy (RE) occurred in 398/430 patients. Rolandic discharges were also found in those with febrile seizures, tic disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Thirty-one patients experienced only one seizure and no relapse, while 367 patients experienced more than two seizures (including 364 receiving drug treatment). The failure rate of LEV as initial therapy was significantly higher than those of OXC and VPA. The overall efficacy of OXC was higher than that of LEV. However, none of the three medications could control rolandic discharges. Moreover, the side effects of the three drugs were mild.
Conclusions:
Rolandic discharges are common in children with RE and other diseases, such as febrile seizures, tic disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Patients with only one seizure need no treatment. Those with multiple seizures can be treated with OXC, LEV, and VPA. OXC serves as the initial antiepileptic drug with a lower failure rate and significant efficacy.
