The pathophysiological mechanisms of cognitive and behavioral disturbances in children with Landau–Kleffner syndrome or epilepsy with continuous spike-and-waves during slow-wave sleep

SummaryEpilepsy with continuous spike- and -waves during slow-wave sleep and Landau–Kleffner syndrome are two rare childhood epilepsy syndromes. The underlying pathophysiology remains unknown. The current opinions about epidemiologic risk factors, genetic predisposition, EEG and MEG findings, influence of anti-epileptic drugs, neuroradiology, positron emission tomopgraphy, evoked potentials, auto-immunity and subpial transection are summarized.