Intractable Epilepsy and Progressive Cognitive Decline in a Young Man

JAMA Neurol. 2017 Jun 1;74(6):737-740. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.3195.

Abstract

A young man with normal neurodevelopment presented with 3 years of medically refractory, progressive epilepsy and myoclonus. Initial examination included neuroimaging, electroencephalography, and biochemical analyses, all of which were unremarkable except for mildly enlarged ventricles. Over the following year, the patient experienced rapid cognitive decline with new-onset recurrent visual hallucinations and progressive lethargy. Results of subsequent electroencephalography and brain imaging were unchanged, and a fluorodeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomographic scan was normal.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Disease Progression*
  • Drug Resistant Epilepsy / complications
  • Drug Resistant Epilepsy / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Lafora Disease / complications
  • Lafora Disease / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Young Adult