Autistic regression with rolandic spikes.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to further define the electroencephalographic abnormalities seen in the Landau-Kleffner syndrome variants and the associated clinical features.

BACKGROUND

Landau-Kleffner syndrome is rare, but its putative variants are more common.

METHOD

We report two patients with centro-temporal spikes, autistic epileptiform regression, and variably prominent oro-motor symptoms.

RESULTS

The epileptic aphasia pattern found among patients with prominent Rolandic spikes may more frequently involve expressive language than is seen in the typical Landau-Kleffner syndrome, where verbal auditory agnosia is the rule.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical difference likely reflects the location of the epileptiform activity (centrotemporal as opposed to anterior or mid-temporal) on buccal-lingual function, vocalization, and language production.