title: Epilepsy in Prader-Willi syndrome: clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epilepsy associated with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) represents an early and important complication, often not clearly reported and described in the literature. Consequently, there are controversial data about the clinical characteristics of epilepsy and electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities found in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on recent original publications, we have reviewed the different types of seizures and EEG findings in PWS patients, the response to antiepileptic treatment, and the prognosis of epilepsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of epilepsy in PWS patients ranges from 4% to 26%. The types of seizure include generalized tonic-clonic seizures, complex partial seizures, atypical absence, staring spells, and myoclonic, tonic and hemiclonic seizures, but the most frequent type is focal epilepsy. Status epilepticus has never been reported. EEG abnormalities are not typical but variable in different patients. However, generalized and focal discharges are the most frequently reported findings. There is no evidence of relationship between the course of epilepsy and frequency, morphology and spread of EEG discharges. However, epilepsy in PWS patients is usually responsive to antiepileptic monotherapy with rapid seizure control and a good outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of epilepsy is higher in PWS patients than in general populations and this complication can be a challenge for the clinicians of these patients. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the good long-term prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Sant' Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy, averrott@unich.it.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verrotti
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soldani
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laino
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: d'Alonzo
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grosso
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants