Epileptic encephalopathy

What it means

A condition in which epileptiform abnormalities are believed to contribute to the progressive disturbance in cerebral function. Epileptic encephalaopathy is characterized by (1) electrographic EEG paroxysmal activity that is often aggressive, (2) seizures that are usually multiform and intractable, (3) cognitive, behavioral and neurological deficits that may be relentless, and (4) sometimes early death.

Seizures alone without any underlying neurologic or medical illness can be the sole cause of encephalopathy. Patients with seizures as a cause or consequence of encephalopathy present with a wide variety of neurologic symptoms from mild reduction or alteration of consciousness to coma. Findings on neurologic exam are often nonfocal, nonspecific, and not predictive of the presence of seizures. Patients may or may not have subtle motor findings accompanying the presentation of encephalopathy. Signs range from very focal findings, such as nystagmus, eye flutter, blinking, and eye deviation to more widespread signs, such as myoclonus, tremulousness, and autonomic instability.

Rare diseases that can present with this21

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Convulsive encephalopathy