Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy. Seizures usually begin before 4 years of age. Seizure types, which vary among patients, include the following:

• 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
• Myoclonic: sudden muscle jerks

There may be periods of frequent seizures mixed with brief, relatively seizure-free periods.

Most children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience some degree of impaired intellectual functioning or information processing, along with developmental delays and behavioral disturbances. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be caused by brain malformations, perinatal asphyxia, severe head injury, central nervous system infection, or inherited degenerative or metabolic conditions. In 30% to 35% of cases, no cause can be found.

Treatment
Treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome includes anti-epileptic medications such as valproate, lamotrigine, felbamate, or topiramate. There is usually no single antiepileptic medication that will control seizures. Children who improve initially may later show tolerance to a drug or have uncontrollable seizures.

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.

Research
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, one of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports a broad program of basic and clinical research on epilepsy including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. These studies are aimed at finding the causes of these disorders, improving the diagnosis, and developing new medications and other therapies.

This information has been made available by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health.

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.