Síndrome de Down y epilepsia

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of mental retardation affecting approximately one in 660 births. DS is associated with many neurological complications, including early-onset dementia that resembles Alzheimer's disease, Moyamoya disease, strokes, spinal ligamentous laxity and epilepsy. The prevalence of epilepsy in individuals with DS is higher than in the general population, with rates ranging from 1 to 13%, with a media of 5.5%. The increased seizure susceptibility in DS has been attributed to inherent structural and molecular anomalies of the brain and to secondary complications. Among other facts patients with DS have less inhibitory γ-aminobutiric acid containing granule cells and an increased level of glutamate, which favours a hyperexcitable state. West syndrome, with infantile spasms, is the most common epilepsy syndrome in children with DS. There are many electroencephalographic (EEG) anomalies associated with DS but no specific pattern has been established. The primary drug choices for infantile spasms are adrenocorticotropic hormone, valproate and vigabatrine, but no significant difference has been demonstrated with different treatment options. Studies have shown that children with DS have better seizure control compared to other children with symptomatic infantile spasms. Other seizure types have been described in adult patients with DS including focal crisis, reflex seizures, and late-onset myoclonic epilepsy associated with dementia. This article provides an overview of epilepsy in DS.