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Epileptic Encephalopathy with Continuous Spikes and Waves During Sleep

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports volume 13, Article number: 360 (2013) Cite this article

Abstract

Epileptic encephalopathy with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (EECSWSS) is an age-related childhood condition characterized by epilepsy, cognitive or behavioral impairment, and electroencephalographic abnormality of continuous spike–wave discharges during slow sleep. Continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (or electrical status epilepticus during sleep) is an electrographic pattern characterized by nearly continuous spike–wave discharges during non-REM sleep, with a frequency of 1.5–3 Hz and usually diffuse and bilateral in distribution. Most authors consider EECSWSS as wide spectrum of epileptic conditions of different origin associated with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and neuropsychological impairment of different severity in close temporal concordance with the appearance of the electroencephalographic pattern of electrical status epilepticus during sleep. The long-term prognosis of this condition is overall poor owing to the persistence of neuropsychological impairment. Therefore, early recognition and effective therapy are necessary to improve long-term prognosis.

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Conflict of Interest

Pasquale Striano declares no conflict of interest.

Giuseppe Capovilla declares no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, “G. Gaslini” Institute, Genoa, Italy

    Pasquale Striano

  2. Child Neuropsychiatry, Epilepsy Center, “C. Poma Hospital”, Mantua, Italy

    Giuseppe Capovilla

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  1. Pasquale Striano
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  2. Giuseppe Capovilla
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Correspondence to Pasquale Striano.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Epilepsy

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Striano, P., Capovilla, G. Epileptic Encephalopathy with Continuous Spikes and Waves During Sleep. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 13, 360 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-013-0360-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-013-0360-5

Keywords

  • Epilepsy
  • Rolandic
  • ESES
  • CSWS
  • Therapy