NON-TRADITIONAL TREATMENT FOR EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHIES: CAN WE IMPROVE OUTCOME?

Aims: Epileptic encephalopathies are a groups of disorders associated with a poor epileptic and cognitive outcome. Treatment with conventional anticonvulsants have been associated with limited success, even when newer generation drugs with specific indications for children with epileptic encephalopathies are taken into account.

Objectives: The objectives of this presentation are to review the different non traditional therapies available for this population and their impact on outcome. We will discuss the use of steroids, the ketogenic diet, surgical procedures, neuroprotective treatment and potential antiepileptogenic drugs to control seizures and improve cognition and behaviour. We will also discuss the impact of non-convulsive status epilepticus and its treatment in epileptic encephalopathies.

Conclusion: The poor outcome of epileptic encephalopathies requires innovative therapeutic strategies to improve the children's long-term development. Early diagnosis and different therapeutic approaches might play a key role to better the outcome of these children and their family.