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Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Information Page
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Information Page
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Information Page
What research is being done?
The NINDS 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. NINDS-funded researchers are looking at drug combinations that would help boost the effectiveness of medication therapy, and studies aimed at a better understanding of the genetic causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Other research is focused on better animal models that more closely reflect the mechanisms that cause epilepsy in humans so they can be used to more effectively screen potential treatments for the epilepsies.
Information from the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus
Genetics Home Reference: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
The NINDS 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. NINDS-funded researchers are looking at drug combinations that would help boost the effectiveness of medication therapy, and studies aimed at a better understanding of the genetic causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Other research is focused on better animal models that more closely reflect the mechanisms that cause epilepsy in humans so they can be used to more effectively screen potential treatments for the epilepsies.
Information from the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus
Genetics Home Reference: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
The NINDS 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. NINDS-funded researchers are looking at drug combinations that would help boost the effectiveness of medication therapy, and studies aimed at a better understanding of the genetic causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Other research is focused on better animal models that more closely reflect the mechanisms that cause epilepsy in humans so they can be used to more effectively screen potential treatments for the epilepsies.
Information from the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus
Genetics Home Reference: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy. Seizures begin in early childhood, usually before the age of 4 years.
Children, adolescents, and adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have multiple types of seizures that vary among individuals. Common seizure types include:
- tonic seizures (stiffening of the body, upward eye gaze, dilated pupils, and altered breathing patterns)
- atypical absences (staring spells)
- atonic seizures (brief loss of muscle tone, which could cause abrupt falls)
- myoclonic seizures (sudden muscle jerks), and
- generalized tonic-clonic seizures (muscle stiffness and rhythmic jerking).
There may be periods of frequent seizures mixed with relatively seizure-free periods. Although not always present at the onset of seizures, most people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience some degree of impaired intellectual functioning or information processing, along with developmental delays and behavioral disturbances. A particular patten of brain electric activity can be seen using electroencephalogram (EEG). Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be caused by a variety of conditions, including brain malformations, tuberous sclerosis, perinatal asphyxia, severe head injury, central nervous system infection, and inherited genetic and inherited degenerative or metabolic conditions. In 30-35 percent of individuals, no cause can be found.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy. Seizures begin in early childhood, usually before the age of 4 years.
Children, adolescents, and adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have multiple types of seizures that vary among individuals. Common seizure types include:
- tonic seizures (stiffening of the body, upward eye gaze, dilated pupils, and altered breathing patterns)
- atypical absences (staring spells)
- atonic seizures (brief loss of muscle tone, which could cause abrupt falls)
- myoclonic seizures (sudden muscle jerks), and
- generalized tonic-clonic seizures (muscle stiffness and rhythmic jerking).
There may be periods of frequent seizures mixed with relatively seizure-free periods. Although not always present at the onset of seizures, most people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience some degree of impaired intellectual functioning or information processing, along with developmental delays and behavioral disturbances. A particular patten of brain electric activity can be seen using electroencephalogram (EEG). Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be caused by a variety of conditions, including brain malformations, tuberous sclerosis, perinatal asphyxia, severe head injury, central nervous system infection, and inherited genetic and inherited degenerative or metabolic conditions. In 30-35 percent of individuals, no cause can be found.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be very difficult to treat. A combination of seizure medications and other treatments may be used to improve seizure control and other associated conditions.
The medication valproate is generally considered a first-line therapy for various seizure types. Other anticonvulsant medications may include clobazam, felbamate, lamotrigine, rufinamide, topiramate, and cannabidiol. In June 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved cannabidiol (Epidolex, derived from marijuana) for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in individuals ages 2 and older. The drug contains only small amount of the psychoactive element in marijuana and does not induce euphoria associated with the drug.
Other treatment options include dietary therapy with the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation, and epilepsy surgery (typically a corpus callostomy, which involves severing the band of nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the brain to prevent seizures from spreading). Medication may be combined with the other treatments to optimize seizure control. Children who improve initially may later show tolerance to a drug or have uncontrollable seizures.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be very difficult to treat. A combination of seizure medications and other treatments may be used to improve seizure control and other associated conditions.
The medication valproate is generally considered a first-line therapy for various seizure types. Other anticonvulsant medications may include clobazam, felbamate, lamotrigine, rufinamide, topiramate, and cannabidiol. In June 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved cannabidiol (Epidolex, derived from marijuana) for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in individuals ages 2 and older. The drug contains only small amount of the psychoactive element in marijuana and does not induce euphoria associated with the drug.
Other treatment options include dietary therapy with the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation, and epilepsy surgery (typically a corpus callostomy, which involves severing the band of nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the brain to prevent seizures from spreading). Medication may be combined with the other treatments to optimize seizure control. Children who improve initially may later show tolerance to a drug or have uncontrollable seizures.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy. Seizures begin in early childhood, usually before the age of 4 years.
Children, adolescents, and adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have multiple types of seizures that vary among individuals. Common seizure types include:
- tonic seizures (stiffening of the body, upward eye gaze, dilated pupils, and altered breathing patterns)
- atypical absences (staring spells)
- atonic seizures (brief loss of muscle tone, which could cause abrupt falls)
- myoclonic seizures (sudden muscle jerks), and
- generalized tonic-clonic seizures (muscle stiffness and rhythmic jerking).
There may be periods of frequent seizures mixed with relatively seizure-free periods. Although not always present at the onset of seizures, most people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience some degree of impaired intellectual functioning or information processing, along with developmental delays and behavioral disturbances. A particular patten of brain electric activity can be seen using electroencephalogram (EEG). Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be caused by a variety of conditions, including brain malformations, tuberous sclerosis, perinatal asphyxia, severe head injury, central nervous system infection, and inherited genetic and inherited degenerative or metabolic conditions. In 30-35 percent of individuals, no cause can be found.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be very difficult to treat. A combination of seizure medications and other treatments may be used to improve seizure control and other associated conditions.
The medication valproate is generally considered a first-line therapy for various seizure types. Other anticonvulsant medications may include clobazam, felbamate, lamotrigine, rufinamide, topiramate, and cannabidiol. In June 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved cannabidiol (Epidolex, derived from marijuana) for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in individuals ages 2 and older. The drug contains only small amount of the psychoactive element in marijuana and does not induce euphoria associated with the drug.
Other treatment options include dietary therapy with the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation, and epilepsy surgery (typically a corpus callostomy, which involves severing the band of nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the brain to prevent seizures from spreading). Medication may be combined with the other treatments to optimize seizure control. Children who improve initially may later show tolerance to a drug or have uncontrollable seizures.
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 rare.
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 rare.
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 rare.
Related Information
Information booklet on seizures, seizure disorders, and epilepsy compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Information booklet on seizures, seizure disorders, and epilepsy compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy. Seizures begin in early childhood, usually before the age of 4 years.
Children, adolescents, and adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have multiple types of seizures that vary among individuals. Common seizure types include:
- tonic seizures (stiffening of the body, upward eye gaze, dilated pupils, and altered breathing patterns)
- atypical absences (staring spells)
- atonic seizures (brief loss of muscle tone, which could cause abrupt falls)
- myoclonic seizures (sudden muscle jerks), and
- generalized tonic-clonic seizures (muscle stiffness and rhythmic jerking).
There may be periods of frequent seizures mixed with relatively seizure-free periods. Although not always present at the onset of seizures, most people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience some degree of impaired intellectual functioning or information processing, along with developmental delays and behavioral disturbances. A particular patten of brain electric activity can be seen using electroencephalogram (EEG). Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be caused by a variety of conditions, including brain malformations, tuberous sclerosis, perinatal asphyxia, severe head injury, central nervous system infection, and inherited genetic and inherited degenerative or metabolic conditions. In 30-35 percent of individuals, no cause can be found.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be very difficult to treat. A combination of seizure medications and other treatments may be used to improve seizure control and other associated conditions.
The medication valproate is generally considered a first-line therapy for various seizure types. Other anticonvulsant medications may include clobazam, felbamate, lamotrigine, rufinamide, topiramate, and cannabidiol. In June 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved cannabidiol (Epidolex, derived from marijuana) for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in individuals ages 2 and older. The drug contains only small amount of the psychoactive element in marijuana and does not induce euphoria associated with the drug.
Other treatment options include dietary therapy with the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation, and epilepsy surgery (typically a corpus callostomy, which involves severing the band of nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the brain to prevent seizures from spreading). Medication may be combined with the other treatments to optimize seizure control. Children who improve initially may later show tolerance to a drug or have uncontrollable seizures.
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 rare.
The NINDS 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. NINDS-funded researchers are looking at drug combinations that would help boost the effectiveness of medication therapy, and studies aimed at a better understanding of the genetic causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Other research is focused on better animal models that more closely reflect the mechanisms that cause epilepsy in humans so they can be used to more effectively screen potential treatments for the epilepsies.
Information from the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus
Genetics Home Reference: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Information booklet on seizures, seizure disorders, and epilepsy compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).