Affiliations: Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Scott & White Neuroscience Institute and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA | Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA | Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Scott & White Hospital and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Batool F. Kirmani, Epilepsy Center-Department of Neurology, Scott & White Neuroscience Institute, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508, USA. Tel.: +1 254 724 4179; Fax: +1 254 724 5692; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a pediatric epileptic encephalopathy, which is characterized by uncontrolled seizures, diffuse slow spike and wave discharges on encephalogram, and cognitive impairment. This is a severe form of childhood epilepsy, pharmacoresistant in most cases, with a peak incidence between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Mental retardation is common attributed to increased frequency of seizures. Rufinamide approval by Food and Drug Administration gave new hope to patients and their caregivers. Rufinamide is a third generation anticonvulsant, which is structurally different from other anticonvulsants. Clinical trials of rufinamide have shown a decreased frequency of seizures including atonic seizures and drop attacks in patients with LGS. In this current paper, we discuss the role of rufinamide as a new option in the management of this childhood epileptic encephalopathy.
