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Speech Delay due to a Prelinguistic Regression of Epileptic Origin

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: A 2-year-old boy presented with an early form of benign partial epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BCERS) and a severe speech delay. Family video analysis revealed an early regression of babbling and stagnation since the age of 12 months. Complete recovery occurred with anti-epileptic treatment. The deficit corresponded to a transient speech apraxia attributed to an epileptic disconnection of networks coordinating speech articulation. This observation is, to the best of our knowledge, the first demonstration that delayed emergence of language can be due to an epileptic dysfunction interfering with prelinguistic skills and therefore mimicking a developmental delay.

Source: Neuropediatrics

DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815792

Authors: C. Dubois, D. Gianella, V. Chaves-Vischer, C.-A. Haenggeli, T. Deonna, E. Roulet Perez

Institutions: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University Hospital of Geneva

Language: English

Topic: Epilepsy research and treatment

Subfield: Clinical Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg