Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
LGSLennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe childhood-onset epilepsy marked by multiple seizure types, a characteristic EEG pattern and developmental impairment.
The condition usually begins between the ages of about two and eight, often in children who already have a known brain injury, malformation or genetic cause, though some cases have no identified origin. Seizure types commonly include tonic seizures during sleep, atonic drop attacks and atypical absence seizures, and the seizures are typically frequent and hard to control. Most affected children also experience learning difficulties and behavioral challenges that persist into adulthood.
Diagnosis rests on the combination of seizure types, an electroencephalogram showing slow spike-and-wave discharges, and the developmental picture. Care is coordinated by pediatric neurologists and epilepsy specialists. A purified prescription form of cannabidiol is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for seizures associated with this syndrome, which is distinct from over-the-counter hemp products and is prescribed and monitored by a physician.