Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Information Page
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What is Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
Is there Research Being Done?
What is Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome?
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy (a seizure disorder). It usually develops in children between 1 and 8 years old and is characterized by several types of seizures, developmental delay, and behavioral disturbances such as poor social skills and attention-seeking behavior. Most children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience some degree of impaired intellectual functioning or information processing. The disorder may be caused by brain injury, severe brain infections, genetic brain diseases, or developmental malformations of the brain. In some cases, no cause can be found. Seizure types, which vary among patients, include tonic (stiffening of the body, upward deviation of the eyes, dilation of the pupils, and altered respiratory patterns), atonic (brief loss of muscle tone and consciousness, causing abrupt falls), atypical absence (staring spells), and myoclonic (sudden muscle jerks). There may be periods of frequent seizures mixed with brief, relatively seizure-free periods.
Is there any treatment?
Treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome may include anti-epileptic medication to control seizures. However, the types of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are usually difficult to control because of their resistance to most anti-epileptic drugs.
What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome varies. There is no cure for the disorder. Complete recovery including freedom from seizures and normal development is very unusual.
Is there Research Being Done?
Studies are aimed at finding the causes of these disorders, improving the diagnosis, and developing new medications and other therapies.
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