Living with Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
A childhood epilepsy with seizures starting between ages 3 and 14 that usually stops by the teen years.
Understanding Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
Seizures peak at ages 8 to 9 and usually stop by age 13, though occasionally they continue up to 18. Birth history, development, and thinking skills are normal before it starts. While seizures are active, some children have language or attention difficulties, which improve when seizures stop.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Seizures starting in one area of the brain
- Facial twitching on one side
- Drooling
- Speech trouble during a seizure
- Seizures during sleep
- Seizures that spread to both sides
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, genetic specialists and seizure and epilepsy specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Epilepsy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Seizure and epilepsy specialists (epileptologist)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Epilepsy Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with CureGRIN Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD lists autosomal dominant inheritance, so one changed copy of a gene can be enough. It does not name a gene.
Also known as: becrs; centralopathic epilepsy; centrotemporal epilepsy; centrotemporal epilepsy, isolated cases; childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes; sylvan seizures
Patient organizations
- CureGRIN FoundationSelf-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes · United States
- Epilepsy FoundationEpilepsy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.
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