Epilepsy in the adolescence.

The impact of recurrent seizures during childhood has a different influence upon the brain condition and mental activity of young epileptics at certain ages. Epilepsy has specific clinical features and characteristic EEG abnormalities, which occur at the developmental stage. Adolescence causes more extra burden to epileptic patients, particularly in the development of mental and/or emotional levels. In this paper, the authors report on two types of age-related phenomena--one benign in nature, and the other malignant. That is, RD (= rolandic discharge) is shown as a benign EEG feature with which sylvian seizure of Lombroso is associated. As a malignant example, psychopathic personality which appeared after the disappearance of epileptic fits, around puberty, was described. We epileptologists are convinced that children with epilepsy, particularly in puberty, have a considerable psychiatric or psychological problem, and must be treated with effective medicines, including medical service and social care.