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[Consequences of recurrent seizures during development]
G L Holmes1, N Chevassus-Au-Lois, M R Sarkisian
1Departamento de Neurología, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Insights
Recurrent seizures in children can lead to a gradual decline in cognitive abilities and intelligence over time. This cognitive impairment may be linked to learning and memory deficits, highlighting the need for clinical awareness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Epilepsy Research
Abstract:
While many children with recurrent seizures have a good prognosis, a small percentage of children with intractable epilepsy have a more ominous course with a gradual decline in cognitive abilities over time. While the reasons for this cognitive decline may be multifactorial, there is evidence both from human and animal studies that recurrent seizures may lead to gradual cognitive impairment in some children. Laboratory studies have also demonstrated that recurrent seizures can lead to deficits in learning and memory as well as structural changes in the brain. It is important for the clinical to be aware of gradual declines in intelligence that may occur over time.