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Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe and uncommon type of epilepsy that begins in early childhood and can continue into adulthood. LGS is characterized by recurrent seizures of varying types, an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG), and mental impairments. Brain malformation, damage, and infection are linked to about 70 percent of cases of LGS, according to Frontiers in Genetics.
An estimated 3 percent to 4 percent of children with epilepsy develop LGS. The condition typically begins between ages 2 and 5, and it occurs more frequently in males. Seizures can continue into adolescence and adulthood.
LGS belongs to a group of disorders called epileptic encephalopathies, which can lead to progressive cognitive impairment, developmental delays, and behavioral problems. LGS can be difficult to treat because it is resistant (refractory) to many types of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Some people with LGS are able to live independently, but most individuals with the condition need assistance.
Complete recovery from LGS is rare, and there currently is no cure. People with LGS have a death rate 14 times higher than those in the general population.
People with LGS experience multiple types of epileptic seizures, including the types described here. But it’s important to note that intellectual disabilities may exhibit earlier than these seizures do.
Most children with LGS have intellectual disabilities or learning problems even before seizures begin. These issues may worsen over time, particularly if seizures are frequent or severe. In a 17-year assessment of children with LGS, up to 99 percent of participants exhibited mental disabilities. Many had delayed development of motor skills, such as sitting and crawling. Behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity and aggression, occurred in half the participants.
The majority of children with LGS will continue to have seizures into adulthood. Because of the developmental and behavioral issues common in LGS, most people with the condition require help with activities of daily living.
The majority of individuals with LGS experience tonic seizures. Tonic seizures typically cause muscles to uncontrollably stiffen. They last around 20 seconds and occur primarily during sleep. A person who experiences this type of seizure while awake may suddenly fall, and they may become tired or confused right after the seizure.
Individuals with LGS may experience atonic seizures, also known as drop attacks. During an atonic seizure, a person loses muscle tone, causing their body to go limp and fall to the ground. A helmet or other head protection may be needed to protect from injury.
Atypical absence seizures may also affect people with LGS. Atypical absence seizures are brief (usually lasting just a few seconds) and cause a short period of “blanking out” or staring into space. Usually, the child does not remember having this type of seizure after it ends.
Focal seizures, which typically affect just one side of the brain, are another common seizure in people with LGS.
Myoclonic seizures are less common but sometimes seen with LGS. These are brief, shocklike jerks of a muscle or group of muscles.
These seizures combine characteristics of tonic (stiffening) and clonic (rhythmic jerking). During tonic-clonic seizures, a person can lose consciousness.
Some children with LGS may be initially affected by infantile spasms. Also known as West syndrome, infantile spasms involve sudden, involuntary contractions of the head, neck, and torso or uncontrolled extension of legs and arms.
Seizures that last longer than five minutes or occur too close together for a person to recover can be life-threatening. They may require emergency medical intervention. Two types of status epilepticus seizures — convulsive and nonconvulsive — can affect awareness and body movements. They also can promote or worsen cognitive decline. More than two-thirds of people with LGS experience status epilepticus.
Among the most disabling seizures for people with LGS are drop attacks, which can result in recurrent injuries and debilitation. Uncontrolled seizures also increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
The best way to prevent injury or death due to status epilepticus or SUDEP is to control seizures as much as possible. Your doctor can find the best treatment plan with medication, dietary treatments, or alternative treatments.
To be diagnosed with LGS, a person must exhibit the following symptoms:
A diagnosis is usually made — together with a multidisciplinary team — after a thorough physical exam, medical history, and neurological evaluation. You will likely undergo an EEG to analyze the brain’s electrical activity and seizures. MRI may also be ordered to help physicians examine brain structure and locate the cause of the seizure activity.
It can take several years to correctly diagnose LGS because the disease has significant overlap with other types of epilepsy, and it may not show its unique features when seizures begin.
Learn more about how severe forms of epilepsy in children are diagnosed.
An estimated 70 percent to 80 percent of people experience symptomatic LGS — when the disease has an identifiable cause. Here are some of the causes of LGS.
When part of the brain has developed abnormally (also called brain malformation) or is injured, it becomes more prone to seizures.
In most LGS cases, there is no family history of the disorder. A family history of epilepsy has been observed in up to 30 percent of people with LGS.
LGS can also develop from other epilepsy syndromes, such as infantile spasms or Ohtahara syndrome. When the cause is unknown, LGS is classified as cryptogenic. In 25 percent of people with LGS, no cause can be found.
LGS can be difficult to treat. Treatment options are limited because of the disease’s resistance to antiepileptic drugs. Typically, at least two AEDs are needed. Side effects of these medications can also affect quality of life. A combination of seizure medications and other treatments is typically used to control LGS-related seizures.
The antiseizure medication valproic acid (Depakene) is considered the first-line monotherapy for LGS in children and adults because it is effective against a wide spectrum of seizures. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is another effective first-line AED, but side effects can limit its usefulness over time.
If valproic acid fails to control seizures, other drugs — such as clobazam (Onfi), lamotrigine (Lamictal), topiramate (Topamax), and rufinamide (Banzel) — may be prescribed. These AEDs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as add-on therapies to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Levetiracetam (Keppra), which is approved for partial seizures, may also be used as an add-on therapy for LGS.
The anticonvulsant drug felbamate (Felbatol) is also approved for treating seizures in children with LGS. Felbamate has been found to be safe and effective, but rare, serious side effects make it a third- or fourth-line LGS medication.
Antiepileptic drugs may be associated with significant side effects, especially for people on multidrug, high-dose regimens. These drugs can also become less effective over time and can cause sedation. Taking multiple medications can sometimes worsen seizure control.
Treatment regimens will change throughout a person’s life, as types and frequency of seizures change and the effectiveness of a particular therapy decreases. It’s important for family members and caretakers to work closely with doctors to manage prescribed medications and keep a list of drugs that may worsen seizures or have other serious side effects.
Newer treatments for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome include the following medications.
An oral form of cannabidiol (CBD, a chemical found in marijuana), Epidiolex is the first FDA-approved drug to control LGS-related seizures. In a phase 3 clinical trial published in The Lancet in 2018, monthly drop-seizure frequency decreased by a median of 44 percent among those treated with prescribed medications and CBD from baseline, compared to 22 percent for those who got the placebo (a substance with no medicinal effect).
Rare side effects from Epidiolex — as well as interactions with the drugs valproic acid and clobazam — were noted in the study. Some studies suggest that CBD is safe in the long term, but more research is needed.
Learn more about how CBD is used to treat severe epilepsy.
In March 2022, the FDA approved fenfluramine (Fintepla) for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in people ages 2 and over. In a phase 3 clinical trial, fenfluramine was shown to reduce the frequency of drop seizures in people with treatment-resistant LGS. Additionally, it was well tolerated and found to be safe for trial participants.
Some research indicates that dietary changes can be effective in controlling seizures brought on by LGS.
A ketogenic diet and its variations, including a modified Atkins diet, are often used to treat children with LGS who have not responded well to AEDs. In one study, the high-fat, low-carb diet — combined with at least one epilepsy medication — helped more than 50 percent of children with epilepsy reduce seizures by half. In addition, 15 percent of study participants became seizure-free on the ketogenic diet.
The low glycemic index treatment (LGIT) is a less-restrictive alternative for people with drug-resistant LGS. Lower in fat than the ketogenic diet, LGIT includes carbohydrates that are low-glycemic (a measurement of how much a food raises your blood sugar level after eating). The Epilepsy Foundation indicates that the majority of people on the LGIT found that seizure activity was reduced. Some became seizure-free, and others were able to reduce use of anticonvulsant medications.
Before starting any of these specific diets, be sure to consult your doctor about whether this dietary approach is right for you. Other medical problems may need to be taken into account.
There are several additional therapies for LGS beyond medications.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective treatment for people with LGS who do not respond to medication. A device surgically implanted in the chest sends mild electrical signals to the brain, via the vagus nerve, to treat seizures. A VNS study of 50 people with LGS found a 58 percent reduction in seizures within six months. The study concluded that VNS is well tolerated and safe and that it may improve quality of life.
In some people with LGS, a bundle of nerves in the brain can be partially cut via corpus callosotomy, a surgical procedure to help control seizures. Corpus callosotomy does not require any brain tissue to be removed.
Resective surgery removes areas of the brain that cause seizures, with the goal of stopping them altogether. In a 2018 study of long-term outcomes of resective surgery for refractory LGS, 50 percent of people were seizure-free after six years. This type of surgery for epilepsy also led to improved behavior and social competence.
Rescue medicines can prevent and treat life-threatening seizures. The most commonly prescribed rescue medicines are fast-acting benzodiazepines — diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and midazolam (Versed). These rescue medications are given orally (by mouth), sublingually (under the tongue), buccally (between the cheek and gum), or as a nasal spray (sprayed into a nostril). Diastat, the rectal form of diazepam, is most often prescribed for children.
Developing a seizure response plan is important for helping to prevent or manage emergency situations. A seizure diary is a self-tracking tool that can help you be proactive about seizure type and frequency — and allow your doctor to detect interactions between seizures and medications.
MyEpilepsyTeam is the social network for people with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and their loved ones. On MyEpilepsyTeam, more than 112,000 members, including more than 22,000 parents of a child with epilepsy, come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with epilepsy.
Are you living with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or caring for a family member who has LGS? Do you have questions or suggestions about managing symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
Evelyn O. Berman, M.D. is a neurology and pediatric specialist and treats disorders of the brain in children. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about her here.
Torrey Kim is a freelance writer with MyHealthTeam. Learn more about her here.
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