Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Children with Epilepsy (ILAE Task Force Report): Subtle behavioural and cognitive manifestations of epilepsy

A subtle behavioural or cognitive manifestation of epilepsy can be defined in two ways. First, epileptiform discharges not presenting as obvious seizures may nevertheless affect cognition and/or behaviour. Second, the actual seizures may be obvious but the way they affect cognition or behaviour may not be. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that the epileptiform discharges in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes can affect behaviour and cognition. The focal discharges in other forms of epilepsy can also be associated with behavioural change. The Landau‐Kleffner syndrome, the CSWS syndrome, transitory cognitive impairment and transient epileptic amnesia provide further examples of cognitive and behavioural manifestations resulting from subtle manifestations of the epilepsy. Prompt, effective antiepileptic treatment with medication or surgery can improve behaviour and cognition in at least some cases.     

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Children with Epilepsy (ILAE Task Force Report): When should pharmacotherapy for psychiatric/behavioural disorders in children with epilepsy be prescribed?

The most important factor in deciding whether psychotropic medication should be prescribed is a meticulous assessment of the possible causes of the behavioural/psychiatric disturbance. This assessment should include a consideration of the possible roles of the epilepsy itself, treatment of the epilepsy, associated brain damage or dysfunction, reactions to the epilepsy and causes that are unrelated to the epilepsy or its treatment. If the epilepsy itself or antiepileptic drug treatment are responsible for the disorder then a review of antiepileptic medication is required. Contrary to popular myth, most psychotropic medications are not contraindicated in children with epilepsy. Treatment with methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, atomoxetine, clonidine or low‐dose risperidone are unlikely to precipitate seizures. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors might protect against seizures but some of these are powerful enzyme inhibitors, implying that careful monitoring to avoid antiepileptic drug toxicity is recommended. In many cases, the appropriate approach will be through other interventions such as behavioural management or providing the young person with empowering strategies, implying that psychotropic pharmacotherapy should not be the first‐line treatment. However, if assessment indicates that psychotropic medication is necessary, it can be of great benefit.     

Severe Unilateral Proprioceptive Loss in Medullary- Rostral Spinal Cord Infarction. A Posterior Spinal Artery Syndrome

We draw attention to a unique presentation, severe unilateral loss of limb proprioception, in patients with medullary and rostral spinal cord infarction. Two patients developed acute severe proprioceptive loss in the limbs ipsilateral to infarcts that involved the caudal medulla and rostral spinal cord. They also had symptoms and signs often found in lateral medullary infarction. The proprioceptive loss is attributable to injury to the gracile and cuneate nuclei and/or their projections to the medial lemniscus. The infarct territory is supplied by the posterior spinal branches of the vertebral artery near its penetration into the posterior fossa. The presence of severe ipsilateral proprioceptive loss in a patient with features of lateral medullary infarction indicates involvement of the rostral spinal cord.