What is lks

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Epilepsy Foundation. See all related organizations. Clinical Trials. Patient Organizations. Is Landau-Kleffner syndrome inherited? How is Landau-Kleffner syndrome diagnosed?

The EEG in children with this epilepsy syndrome is abnormal, especially as they enter sleep. The spike discharges seen in LKS tend to become much more frequent during sleep as compared to wakefulness. Electrical status epilepticus in sleep ESES is common. High amplitude spike and sharp waves in the temporal and parietal lobes are typically the areas where these spikes occur.

These are areas typically associated with speech. This diagnosis can be missed if the EEG is only done while the child is awake. Genetic and metabolic tests may be ordered. An MRI magnetic resonance imaging scan is typically normal. How is Landau-Kleffner syndrome treated? Medications often used are steroids or a high dose diazepam at night. Often, more than one medicine is used at once. Sometimes continous seizures in sleep persist despite medication.

In those children, a type of epilepsy surgery called multiple subpial transections done at an epilepsy center may be an option. The benefit of this procedure is unclear. Resective brain surgery is not usually an option. Speech therapy should be started immediately in children with LKS. What is the outlook for people with Landau-Kleffner syndrome? The outlook for recovering language is poor when LKS starts early in life or lasts for a long time without successful treatment.

Seizures and EEG abnormalities go away in most cases. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

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This site is in-development and may not reflect the final version. Preview the new GARD site. Other Names:. Summary Summary. Symptoms Symptoms. Landau-Kleffner syndrome LKS is characterized by the sudden or gradual development of aphasia the inability to understand or express language.

Children affected with LKS have developed normally until signs and symptoms begin between the ages of 2 and 8. There may be a variability of symptoms associated with LKS even within the same family.

Showing of 14 View All. Mental deficiency. Mental retardation. Mental retardation, nonspecific. Difficulty finding words. Losing words. Loss of words. Attention deficit. Attention deficit disorder. Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Attention deficits. Behavioral changes. Behavioral disorders. Behavioral disturbances. Behavioral problems.

Psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disturbances. Deficiency of speech development. Delayed language development. Delayed speech. Delayed speech acquisition. Delayed speech development. Impaired speech and language development.