What causes early infantile epileptic encephalopathy?

EIEE can be caused by mutations in the ARX gene. This is a regulatory gene involved in brain development, and it is thought that a reduction in the protein produced by the ARX gene is the main effect of the ARX mutation. Changes in genes not located on the X chromosome can also cause infantile spasms in rare cases.

What causes epileptic encephalopathy?

The most common causes of epileptic encephalopathy in infancy are structural abnormalities, either congenital (such as malformations of cortical development) or acquired (such as hypoxic-ischemic insults).

Is epileptic encephalopathy curable?

Hormonal and immune therapies are at the forefront of treatment in many cases, with traditional antiepileptic drugs and surgery (when an identifiable lesion is present) playing a limited role. However, gold standard evidence for treatment of epileptic encephalopathies remains limited.

Is epileptic encephalopathy fatal?

Discussion: The results show EIEE as a severe disease associated with a premature mortality, evidenced by a very young age at death.

Is epileptic encephalopathy genetic?

Epileptic encephalopathies comprise a group of catastrophic epilepsies with heterogeneous genetic etiology.

How is epileptic encephalopathy diagnosed?

The EEG often evolves to atypical hypsarrhythmia which is transient or multifocal spike and sharp waves 3-4 months after the onset of the disease. The diagnosis of these epileptic encephalopathies begins with an EEG which should include both the sleep and wake states.

How long does it take to recover from encephalopathy?

The inflammation of the brain can last from a few days to two or three months. After this, most people find that they make their best recovery from their symptoms within two or three months.

Can encephalopathy cause seizures?

Encephalopathy can present a very broad spectrum of symptoms that range from mild, such as some memory loss or subtle personality changes, to severe, such as dementia, seizures, coma, or death.

Are seizures encephalopathy?

There is a complex relationship between seizures and encephalopathy. Seizures alone without any underlying neurologic or medical illness can be the sole cause of encephalopathy.