SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DISORDERS AGGREGATE IN ROLANDIC EPILEPSY FAMILIES

Objectives: Rolandic epilepsy (RE) is an idiopathic syndrome of complex genetic inheritance. Speech and language disorders are frequently comorbid with RE. We have also observed higher than expected prevalence of these traits in relatives of RE patients. We therefore hypothesised that these traits shared inheritance with RE. To test for evidence in support of this hypothesis, we assessed the comorbidity and aggregation of these traits in both RE patients compared to controls, and in their first degree relatives.

Methods: 39 Rolandic epilepsy patients and their families were assessed by a pediatrician for a history of phonological speech disorder or developmental reading disorder, using DSM-IV definitions. 30 control children without brain disorders, of similar age, and their families, were selected from the same hospital referral population and assessed for the same traits. We calculated odds ratios adjusted for age and sex using Mantel-Haenszel methods.

Results: A history of phonological speech or developmental reading disorders was present in 59% of RE probands, 35% of their siblings and 23% of their parents. The prevalence was 21% in controls, 10% in their siblings, and 5% in their parents. The adjusted odds ratio for association of phonological speech or developmental reading disorders in RE families was 3.7, (95%CI:1.4–37.2).

Conclusion: The strong association of developmental speech and language disorders in RE families suggests that these traits might segregate in RE families. This association, along with the common anatomical regions implicated in these traits and RE, suggests that genetic factors underlying these traits may be shared with the genetic factors which cause RE.