Language Dysfunction Is Associated with Age of Onset of Benign Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes in Children

Abstract

Aims: To assess the language function of children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), and investigate associated risk factors. Methods: The language function of 63 children with BECTS and 30 healthy controls was assessed using the language subtest of the Chinese version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (C-WISC). Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to assess the risk factors of language dysfunction in children with BECTS. Results: The total score of language test of C-WISC, and the individual scores, were significantly lower in children with BECTS compared with the scores attained by the healthy controls, and were also significantly lower in children with BECTS with onset earlier than 6 years of age compared with those whose disease onset occurred later. There were no significant correlations between language function and treatment, frequency of seizures, lateralization of centrotemporal spikes, or duration of seizures, but there was a positive correlation between language dysfunction and the age at disease onset. Conclusion: Children with BECTS have language difficulties, especially those with earlier disease onset. Early age at seizure onset is a risk factor for language dysfunction in children with BECTS.

Hyperactive behaviour in Angelman syndrome: the association with sleep problems and age of epilepsy onset

“…Thus, it is unclear whether individuals Overall, the data supported our hypothesis of a link between hyperactivity and early epilepsy. An association between early epilepsy onset and poorer developmental outcome has been reported in diverse epilepsy populations (Ma et al 2015;Capal et al 2017). Also, in a previous study in this population, age of epilepsy onset was found to correlate significantly with higher rates of autistic symptoms (Bakke et al 2018).…”

Cognitive functioning in children with self‐limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Interestingly, at the individual study level, significant age of onset effects, such that earlier age of onset is associated with poorer outcomes, were revealed for language function, long‐term storage and retrieval memory, processing speed, working memory, and fluid intelligence . These findings were not without contention, with other studies failing to find any significant effects related to age of onset .…”

“…Language dysfunction is recurrently raised as an issue of concern in the ECTS literature. 19,20,52 In a recent meta-analysis, Smith et al 21 reported poorer auditory processing, single-word reading, and expressive and receptive language in children with ECTS compared to control data, with moderate effect sizes. The findings of the present analysis similarly revealed a large effect for poorer outcomes in the Gc factor-a broad construct reflecting acquired verbal knowledge and language-based abilities.…”

“…Language dysfunction is recurrently raised as an issue of concern in the ECTS literature . In a recent meta‐analysis, Smith et al reported poorer auditory processing, single‐word reading, and expressive and receptive language in children with ECTS compared to control data, with moderate effect sizes.…”

Changes in functional organization and functional connectivity during story listening in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes

“…However, children with BECTS perform poorly when compared to controls on tests of expressive language (including naming and verbal fluency), receptive language, and verbal memory skills (Danielsson & Petermann, 2009; Garcia-Ramos et al, 2015; Goldberg-Stern et al, 2010; Overvliet, Besseling, van der Kruijs, et al, 2013; Piccinelli et al, 2008; Volkl-Kernstock et al, 2009). Earlier age of onset has been suggested to be associated with lower language scores (Jurkeviciene et al, 2012; Ma, Chen, Wang, & Xu, 2015) and, in fact, delayed language skills may appear as a precursor to the diagnosis of BECTS (Overvliet, Aldenkamp, Klinkenberg, Vles, & Hendriksen, 2011). These authors noted that 23% of 48 children with BECTS had a history of speech therapy and 35% repeated a year in primary school, both higher than the general population.…”