[P300 latencies in epileptic children: the differences among various epileptic syndromes].

Auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 129 epileptic children of 5 to 20 years of age. To clarify the developmental changes in each of the epileptic syndromes, P300 latencies of ERPs were examined. ERPs were elicited with the auditory oddball paradigm. P300 detection was occasionally difficult in epileptic children. Mean P300 latency in epileptic children (375 +/- 39.7 msec) was significantly prolonged compared with that in normal control children. (355 +/- 39.1 msec). P300 latencies in the children with symptomatic partial epilepsies were prolonged and were not recognized to be shortened with age. In the idiopathic partial epilepsies of 5 to 12 years of age, P300 latencies showed almost the same values with those in the normal children. However, in the idiopathic partial epilepsies of 13 to 15 years of age, P300 latencies were significantly prolonged compared with those in normal children and there were no difference in P300 latencies with other epileptic syndromes. P300 latencies in idiopathic generalized epilepsies showed intermediate values between that in symptomatic partial epilepsies and idiopathic partial epilepsies. Each epileptic syndrome showed different developments in P300 latencies with age. This results suggests that the development and the disturbance of cognitive functions differ among the epileptic syndromes.