In epileptic encephalopathy, the seizures and interictal epileptiform activity create additional neurocognitive dysfunction beyond that due to the underlying etiology. Treatment leading to a reduction in seizures or interictal abnormalities may help improve neurocognitive function in these situations. The focus of our discussion is reviewing data that support the concept that treatment can impact outcome independent of the etiology in some cases.
Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Epilepsy; Epileptic encephalopathy; Humans; Treatment.
Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 International League Against Epilepsy.