Landau-Kleffner syndrome (acquired epileptiform aphasia)

Epidemiology

• rare

Pathology

• affects the parts of the brain that control speech & comprehension of language

Clinical manifestations

• children develop normally until ages of 3 & 7
• development of aphasia (comprehension & speech) is gradual
• seizures may occur

Diagnostic procedures

• abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG)

Differential diagnosis

• diagnosis may be difficult
• autism
• hearing impairment
• learning disability
• auditory/verbal processing disorder
• attention deficit disorder
• mental retardation
• childhood schizophrenia
• emotional/behavioral problems

Management

• anticonvulsants
• corticosteroids
• speech therapy
• multiple subpial transection
  • controversial surgical technique
  • severing of pathways of abnormal electrical brain activity

Prognosis:

• prognosis is variable
  • some may have a permanent severe language disorder
  • others may regain much of their language abilities (may take months or years)
  • remissions & relapse may occur
  • prognosis is improved when the onset of the disorder is after age 6 & when speech therapy is started early
  • seizures generally disappear by adulthood

More general terms

• syndrome

Patient information

Landau-Kleffner syndrome (acquired epileptiform aphasia) patient information