Academic performance in children with rolandic epilepsy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of reading, writing, and calculation disabilities in children with typical rolandic epilepsy (RE) and healthy control children. We also aimed to define the possible electroclinical markers of specific cognitive dysfunctions in RE. School abilities were evaluated and compared in 20 children (eight males, 12 females; mean age 10y 3mo [SD 1y 7mo]; range 7y 9mo-12y 9mo) consecutively diagnosed with typical RE, and a group of 21 healthy controls (nine males, 12 females; mean age 10y 4mo [SD 1y 8mo]; range 7y 6mo-13y 3mo). All the children received standardized neuropsychological tests. For each patient an exhaustive seizure diary was kept and all the sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were reviewed. Specific difficulties with reading, writing, and calculation (diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition) were found in nine out of 20 children with RE and two out of 21 healthy controls (χ 2 =0.01). The specific learning disabilities in the RE group were correlated with a marked increase in epileptiform discharges during sleep (χ 2 =0.02) and an early onset of epilepsy (χ 2 =0.02). Our findings suggest that seizure onset before age 8 years and epileptiform discharges (more than 50% of the sleep EEG recording) in several tracings over more than a year are relevant markers for identifying patients at risk of developing academic difficulties.

Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes: word and pseudoword discrimination

“…In an earlier study it was observed that children with BCECTS frequently showed inferior performance in the school performance test (SPT), especially in reading, as compared with normal children, which was confirmed in the present study and by Piccinelli et al 8 for both reading and writing. Some children with BECTS suffer a delay of one academic year or more 11 .…”

“…Children with BECTS with difficulties at school have been the object of various studies reported in the literature 3,8,11,13 . In an earlier study it was observed that children with BCECTS frequently showed inferior performance in the school performance test (SPT), especially in reading, as compared with normal children, which was confirmed in the present study and by Piccinelli et al 8 for both reading and writing.…”

“…However, in the active phase of the epilepsy, discreet deficits may occur in various cognitive functions, with consequent learning difficulties and fall in scholastic performance [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] , and reading difficulties are amongst those reported in children with BECTS 7,[9][10][11] . Compromise in the various aspects of language and reading is to be expected due to the superimposition of the cortical areas for language with those of the RS, which concentrate in the lower part of the rolandic area and in the sylvian region, with an eventual extension into the temporal cortex and adjacent parietal region 2,3,12,13 .…”

A Review of the Not So Benign- Benign Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes

“…These observations have prompted us to reconsider the old theory of not to treat these children with AED. Most AED are however considered to be effective [10].Most common AEDs used to treat this disease include carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam, gabapentin and lamotrigine [36][37][38].Recent studies have indicated that children with BECTS have specific deficit in visual, verbal and linguistic domain not only during active stage of disease but these may persist even after remission [39][40]. The treatment should be considered individually for each child.…”

Troubles cognitifs et comportementaux chez l’enfant ayant une épilepsie bénigne à pointes centro-temporales

“…Des difficultés attentionnelles sont retrouvées chez plus de la moitié des enfants, ayant une épilepsie à pointes centro-temporales (Piccinelli et al 2008 ;Lingdren et al 2004). Durant la phase active, Baglietto et al (2001) rapportent des fragilités attentionnelles dans plusieurs tâches alors que Giordani et al (2006) Les difficultés attentionnelles et des fonctions exécutives que manifestent les enfants avec EPCT sont aussi corroborées par les recherches à base de questionnaires visant à étudier le comportement (voir section troubles affectifs et comportementaux).…”