2 results
5 - Epilepsy and learning disorders
- Edited by Michael Trimble, Institute of Neurology, London, Bettina Schmitz, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
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- Book:
- The Neuropsychiatry of Epilepsy
- Published online:
- 05 October 2010
- Print publication:
- 29 August 2002, pp 62-69
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- Chapter
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Summary
Introduction
In the practice of epilepsy, the association between epilepsy and learning disorder is very important, even if sometimes underestimated. A correct and early diagnosis of a learning disorder in a person with epileptic seizures will often determine future development and prognosis.
Definitions
Cognitive function defines the capacity of the human brain to process all information coming from the outside and internal world of the individual, and program ongoing behaviour (Aldenkamp and Bronswijk, 1999). This capacity involves the ability to remain in contact with the outside world (through the function of vigilance), to select and focus information (through the function of attention), and to memorize data (through the function of memory). In this way, cognitive function gives humans the opportunity of becoming aware of themselves and to solve problems – something that we also call intelligence. The latter is the generic capacity of using all of the elements of thinking necessary to recognize, plan and solve new problems in a directed and correct manner.
More than one cortical area of the human brain is involved in cognitive function and related processes, and impaired cognitive function has been observed in the presence of a lesion or stable dysfunction in the temporal, frontal or parietal lobes of the dominant and nondominant hemispheres.
18 - Epileptic and non-epileptic periodic motor phenomena in children with encephalopathy
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- By Giuseppe Gobbi, Infancy and Childhood Neuropsychiatry Service, Maggiore C.A. Pizzard Hospital, Bologna, Italy, Antonella Pini, Infancy and Childhood Neuropsychiatry Service, Maggiore C.A. Pizzard Hospital, Bologna, Italy, Lucia Fusco, Section of Neurophysiology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Edited by Renzo Guerrini, University of London, Jean Aicardi, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, Frederick Andermann, Montreal Neurological Institute & Hospital, Mark Hallett, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore
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- Book:
- Epilepsy and Movement Disorders
- Published online:
- 03 May 2010
- Print publication:
- 13 December 2001, pp 307-318
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Summary
Introduction
Paroxysmal epileptic motor phenomena occurring in the first year of life in symptomatic encephalopathies (hypoxic–ischemic, metabolic or malformative) are frequently constituted by spasms. Apart from the West syndrome, epileptic spasms are characteristic of some specific infantile epileptic syndromes such as Ohtahara syndrome (Ohtahara, 1978), early myoclonic epileptic encephalopathy (Aicardi & Goutires, 1978), tuberous sclerosis complex and Aicardi disease. They may also occur in neurofibromatosis and in other symptomatic encephalopathies of different origin (Commission on Pediatric Epilepsy of the ILAE, 1992; Roger & Dulac, 1994). In these syndromes epileptic spasms tend to recur in clusters. Recently it has been established that epileptic spasms may be present beyond infancy (Gobbi et al., 1987; Commission on Paediatric Epilepsy of the ILAE, 1992; Roger & Dulac, 1994; Talwar et al., 1995). Among these ‘non-age-related’ epileptic spasms, a particular type named periodic spasms has been described and their electroclinical characteristics have been detailed (Gobbi et al., 1987; Bednarek et al., 1998). The term ‘periodic spasms’ has been chosen to emphasize one of the most striking characteristics of these spasms: their repetition into the cluster in an almost periodic sequence at rather regular intervals. The most important aspect of periodic spasms is that the whole cluster of spasms has to be considered as a single, complicated partial seizure, with a particular type of secondary generalization, and not simply as the result of a long-lasting series of seizures (the spasms), which repeat in a periodic sequence (Gobbi et al., 1987). Finally, periodic spasms may be very polymorphous and their clinical expression may be very subtle or suggestive of a movement disorder. As a consequence they may be missed or misdiagnosed.
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