preprints.org > medicine and pharmacology > neuroscience and neurology > doi: 10.20944/preprints202312.1718.v1

Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 21 December 2023 / Approved: 22 December 2023 / Online: 22 December 2023 (07:52:24 CET)

In the contest of childhood epilepsies, the concept of continuous spike-waves during slow sleep (CSWS) includes several childhood-onset heterogeneous conditions, sharing an electroencephalogram (EEG) characterized by a high frequency of paroxysmal abnormalities during sleep which are attributed negative effects on the cognitive development and behavior of the child. These negative effects may have the characteristics of a clear regression or of a slowdown in development. Seizures are very often present, but not constantly. The above makes it clear why CSWS have been included in epileptic encephalopathies, in which by definition the frequent EEG paroxysmal abnormalities have an unfavorable impact on the cognitive functions, including socio-communicative skills causing autistic features, even regardless of the presence of clinically overt seizures. Although several decades have passed since the original descriptions of the electroclinical condition of CSWS, there are still many areas that are little known and deserve to be further studied, including the EEG diagnostic criteria, the most effective electrophysiological parameter for monitoring the evolution, the role of the thalamus in the CSWS pathogenesis, the long-term evolution, the nosographic location of Landau-Kleffner syndrome, the standardized neuropsychological and behavioral assessment, the pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies.

epilepsy; epileptic encephalopathies; CSWS; ESES; Landau-Kleffner syndrome

Medicine and Pharmacology, Neuroscience and Neurology

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