Childhood Epilepsy with Centro Temporal Spikes (Originally Rolandic Epilepsy)

[@ronpaul3322]

This is very helpful, simple and to the point. I’ve been looking into the permanent effects of childhood epilepsy cognitively to better understand myself, but my research has been a bit inconclusive. Thanks a lot, I hope you have a good day!

[@ryanhoyle5389]

this was the best video I could find on the condition. many thanks!

[@gailhowell5594]

Very interesting and informative for me as a parent of a child with CECTS thank you

[@anahimaldonadocabrera5091]

Thanks for the information

[@spotifylogin8742]

Hello doctor! Thank you very much for all the information and for all your effort in explaining this syndrome! I apologize for writing to you with a fake account but I feel ashamed of the question I want to ask you. My girlfriend is 18 years old and has this syndrome and has not had a seizure for the last 1 year and 7 months. She has been treated before with medicaments (Depakine Chrono for 6 months) and from the moment of stopping the medicaments she has not had any seizures. She has just informed me about this syndrome and I want this girl to be my future wife and have childrens with her but I'm afraid. What are the chances that epilepsy will reappear recently or after a period of several years? What are the chance that this epilepsy is inherited to our future childrens. Thank you in advance for the reply!

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Hi and yes, these are very important and reasonable questions to be asking. As much as I'd like to provide you with precise statistical answers to both, it's actually quite difficult. Epilepsy remission is generally taken at 5 years (though varies by the exact type). The genetics and therefore the likelyhood of future offspring to have it are also difficult to predict because it doesn't just depend on a particular gene not functioning correctly, in isolation. We know from twin studies that there are other factors involved too, and it'd also depend on how 'typical' the expression of this epilepsy is. I'd suggest that you and your girlfriend ask her epilepsy specialist these questions and they'd hopefully be able to give you a fuller answer. Bw Simon

[@spotifylogin8742]

@@DrSimonFreilich thank you for your answer doctor! Bw to you too and thank you for helping the community!

[@Deviliza]

I would like to know how the condition can be helped the best?

[@sarahaitken5655]

Is it possible to have this and have a clean EEG? My 4 yr old had a 1 hr, not sleep deprived EEG which was normal. He has had 2 status seizures upon waking and 1-4min ones most nights going to sleep. Prolonged Todd’s Paralysis after his status seizures. Paediatric Neurologist says he thinks it’s Rolandic Epilepsy.

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Hi Sarah, a routine awake EEG can miss it. In my practice, the next stage would usually be a formal sleep deprived study or possibly an overnight ambulatory study. At the end of the day, any EEG is just a snapshot in time and can miss the 'rumbles' we're looking for. In this type of epilepsy it's particularly active during drowsiness and light sleep, so that's the ideal state to record the brain signals. Best wishes, Simon

[@sarahaitken5655]

@@DrSimonFreilich thank you Simon. Apologies, I’ve only just seen your reply. We had a sleep deprived EEG which showed spikes in the Centrotemporal region. However, clinically, our neurologist thinks he’s not displaying like a typical SLECTs child. The EEG also showed continuous slow and spike waves, which we understand can indicate ESES/CSWS. He’s not showing any signs of regression or stagnation in development, so our neurologist said to wait and watch. We’ve had some decent control of clinical seizures on Onfi and Lamictal after failing on Depakote and Keppra. Thanks again.

[@sarahaitken5655]

@@DrSimonFreilich thank you. I’ve only just seen this response. To follow up, he had a sleep deprived EEG which showed a lot of activity. While his neurologist isn’t completely sure he has BRE, he has said he definitely has focal epilepsy. Thank you.

[@nasreddineboucetta6362]

nice talk.......many thanks

[@mbunderwood7093]

What other epilepsy types include Centrotemporal spikes? You mentioned that it is not exclusive to Rolandic Epilepsy.

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Sure, if you get to 7.50 you'll see some more of the spectrum. There are also focal epilepsies such as those arising from the insular lobe that can look similar. Bw Simon

[@saskiaparker007]

My daughter was diagnosed with Rolandic Epilepsy, here in Denmark they still use that name. I am wondering about getting an epilepsy monitor for her while she sleeps. What do you recommend concerning this? many thanks, your videos are great

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Many thanks Saskia! That's a great question and there are some very specific aspects to consider. The physical expression of the seizures your daughter has are quite important from a technical perspective. To the best of my knowledge, most sensors (mats/wearables) are validated to detect large rhythmic movements (usually as a result of generalised tonic-clonic events). If hers are primarily in the face, or even extending to the arms then they may not be able to detect them. Other considerations are how frequent, how long, how significant they are as well as what degree of attendance and intervention is possible if/when seizures are detected. At the very least, it's worth a discussion with the paediatrician / epileptologist looking after her to explore whether there's any mileage, but successful usage depends on individual circumstances. Bw Simon

[@michaljamts1268]

Hello, my son had second seizure this week after 3 months. Neurologist recommended take a meds. If I decide to not take a meds, could this be a risk of something risky and dangerous in future?? thanks for respond.

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Dear Michal, Yes. Seizures come with a risk of harm and the benefit of anti seizure medication is to reduce the chances of them occurring. There may also be a benefit in terms of kids' school performance too. Bw Simon

[@michaljamts1268]

@DrSimonFreilich thank you for respond. What about side effects of meds? Changing personality like agresivity or focusing at school? If child will outgrown from it... can it return in adulthood??

[@DrSimonFreilich]

My personal experience is that CECTS is a complex condition with quite a spectrum, and there's no one size fits all answer, even to relatively reasonable questions such as these. You're going to have to speak it through with the Neurologist, and trust their opinion. Bw Simon

[@ingridita914]

Is asymmetry with more activity in the right side considered an atypical feature? And what does that asymmetry mean or suggest?

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Hi Ingrid, asymmetry per se is not atypical, in fact its quite typical. Often there can be side switching between studies too, so it may be more prominent in one hemisphere during a particular recording, and then switch to the other on a different day of recording. Why it does that - I can't explain, but is a well recognised feature. V best, Simon

[@ingridita914]

Thank you so much for your reply! @@DrSimonFreilich

[@MimiBBBBB]

Hello,I would like to know will Rolandic epilepsy cause restless sleep/insomnia? Thanks.

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Hi, two very different sets of problems but both potentially causing unwanted movements and disturbances during sleep. Bw Simon

[@MimiBBBBB]

@@DrSimonFreilich Thanks for the information.

[@exercisefornormalpeople6731]

Do you advise patients on Zoom?

[@DrSimonFreilich]

Thanks, but no I don't. Bw Simon

[@exercisefornormalpeople6731]

@@DrSimonFreilich Thank you

[@Deviliza]

And.. I vote to call it "Rolandic epilepsy". Toooo many confusing names there. :)