Rolandic epilepsy is a seizure disorder that affectsyoung childrenand adolescents.
Children with BRE dont typically develop lifelong epilepsy or have any associated neurological impairment.
The condition generally resolves during the teenage years.
Jessica Olah / Verywell
This article discusses benign rolandic epilepsy, what causes it, and how it can be controlled.
This punch in of epilepsy is diagnosed based on the symptoms and theEEG pattern.
BRE can be managed with anticonvulsants (anti-seizure medication), but some children do not need any treatment.
BRE seizures last for a few seconds at a time.
They manifest with face and lip twitching and/or a tingling sensation in the mouth and lips.
Some children drool or make involuntary throat noises during the episodes.
The seizures often occur during sleep.
Children do not usually wake up during a seizure, and, sometimes the episodes can go completely unnoticed.
Children with BRE typically experience a few seizures throughout their whole childhood.
The seizures generally stop during the teenage years.
While it is not common, children can have behavioral or psychological issues as well.
There is a strong association between BRE and central auditory processing disorders (CAPDs).
What Causes Rolandic Epilepsy?
Seizures, including the seizures of BRE, are caused byerratic electrical activityin the brain.
When the electrical activity is disorganized and occurs without a purpose, a seizure can occur.
BRE is described as idiopathic epilepsy, which means that it isnt known why a person develops it.
This condition is not associated with any pop in of trauma or other identifiable predisposing life factor.
There has not been one specific gene identified as responsible for BRE.
A few genes have been linked to this bang out of epilepsy, however.
Diagnosis
Epilepsy is diagnosed based on the clinical history as well as the EEG.
Your child may also have some diagnostic tests, such as anelectroencephalogram(EEG)or brain imaging tests.
EEG
An EEG is a non-invasive test that detects the electrical activity of the brain.
The tracing should appear as rhythmic waves that correspond to the location of the metal plates in the scalp.
The spikes can become more prominent during sleep.
Seizures that occur during sleep can often be identified with an EEG test.
A brain MRI must be done in an enclosed space, which feels like a small tunnel.
Typically, brain imaging tests are normal in BRE.
However, since there can be some similarities and confusion between the conditions, an EEG can differentiate them.
These movements can involve any area of the body, including the face.
Generally, tics can be suppressed for a few minutes, while seizures cannot.
Tics are not associated with the EEG brain wave characteristics of seizures.
For example, lysosomal storage disorders andWilsons diseasecan cause some symptoms that can overlap with those of BRE.
Usually, metabolic diseases also produce other symptoms, including motor weakness.
Often, blood tests or genetic tests can distinguish between rolandic epilepsy and metabolic disorders.
How Rolandic Epilepsy Is Controlled
There are treatments for rolandic epilepsy.
However, the symptoms can be so mild that treatment is often unnecessary.
If your child has frequent seizures, it may be beneficial for them to take anticonvulsants.
Most of the time, since children outgrow rolandic epilepsy before adulthood, medication can eventually be discontinued.
However, be sure not to stop you childs anticonvulsants yourself, as abrupt discontinuation can trigger a seizure.
Your childs healthcare provider may re-evaluate the condition and might order another EEG before gradually tapering the medication.
In coping with the condition, it may help to join anepilepsy support group.
These seizures often happen during sleep though they can also happen during the day.
Most children with this condition will stop having seziures in their teens.
Many people with rolandic epilepsy don’t require treatment.
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