Self Limited Late Onset Occipital Epilepsy Gastaut Syndrome
What is late onset occipital epilepsy?
Late onset occipital epilepsy is a syndrome with seizures that initially involve simple visual symptoms:
- A person may see colors or circular dots.
- Loss of vision can occur.
- Children can also have nystagmus (rapid back-and-forth movements of the eyes) and deviation or turning of the eyes in one direction.
- As the seizure progresses, more of the visual field can become involved.
- Seizures typically last 1-3 minutes.
- Children can have headaches after their seizures.
This syndrome is also known as:
- Late-onset, childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms
- Late onset benign occipital epilepsy of Gastaut
- Self-limited late onset childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut
This condition accounts for less than 1% of epilepsy and most commonly affects older school aged children, usually beginning around 8 years old. A family history of epilepsy is seen in approximately 1 out of 3 families.
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Contact Our HelplineWhat type of seizures are seen?
These seizures usually remain focal in the occipital lobes. Sometimes they may spread to both sides of the brain and a generalized tonic clonic seizure may happen.
How is late-onset occipital epilepsy diagnosed?
D is based on the description of the seizures. Other tests needed include:
- EEG (electroencephalogram): The EEG changes are found in the occipital lobes (back part of the brain) where the seizures typically begin. This area of the brain helps process visual information. Spikes will often increase or happen more often when children close their eyes. The EEG in self-limited, late-onset occipital epilepsy may be similar to Panayiatopoulos syndrome which is seen earlier in life.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): The MRI is typically normal, but is important to exclude other causes of epilepsy that can start in the occipital lobe.
How is late-onset occipital epilepsy treated?
Children typically require anti-seizure medication. Usually seizures can be controlled with one medication. Medications such as levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, and valproic acid have been used to good effect.
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Find Your Local Epilepsy FoundationWhat is the outlook?
Most children stop having seizures 2 to 5 years after the epilepsy begins. Medicines can be withdrawn after discussion with the treating physician if seizure freedom persists. Some children do need lifelong anti-seizure medication therapy.
Resources
Epilepsy Centers
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Epilepsy Medication
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Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline
Call our Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline and talk with an epilepsy information specialist or submit a question online.
Tools & Resources
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