Pediatric Epilepsy Affects Brain Development in Key Age Ranges
Source: Epilepsia
Summary
This study looked at how epilepsy affects brain development in children aged 4 to 12 years who do not show clear signs of brain abnormalities on MRI scans. Researchers compared brain scans from 957 children with epilepsy to 962 healthy children. The goal was to understand how the brains of children with epilepsy develop differently over time.
The key findings showed that children with epilepsy had smaller brain volumes and thinner brain areas compared to their healthy peers. They also experienced changes in brain structure at different ages, such as a peak in cortical thickness around age 7 and increased white matter changes around age 8. Between ages 4 and 9, these children showed delays in brain development, particularly in areas related to emotions and movement, but these delays seemed to improve after age 10.
Understanding these differences is important because it highlights critical periods when children with epilepsy may need extra support. The study suggests that while some brain changes are temporary, others may last longer. However, the findings are based on a snapshot in time, so more research is needed to see how these changes develop as children grow older.
Free: Seizure First Aid Quick Guide (PDF)
Plus one plain-language weekly digest of new epilepsy research.
Unsubscribe anytime. No medical advice.
