Interictal paroxysmal epileptic discharges during sleep in childhood: phenotypic variability in a family

Epilepsia. 2003 Jun;44(6):864-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2003.41002.x.

Abstract

We report three children of the same parents who exhibited various types of cognitive disorders, ranging from severe mental deficiency with transient autistic-like regression to specific neuropsychological disabilities, associated with paroxysmal EEG abnormalities with various patterns of severity. This familial association highly suggests a genetic factor responsible for both epileptic discharges on EEG and cognitive dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / genetics*
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis
  • Developmental Disabilities / genetics*
  • Developmental Disabilities / physiopathology
  • Diseases in Twins / genetics
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Electroencephalography / statistics & numerical data
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / genetics*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Genetic Heterogeneity*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / genetics*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / physiopathology