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Cognitive and behavioral impact of antiseizure medications, neuromodulation, ketogenic diet, and surgery in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: A comprehensive review.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
March 1, 2025
Debopam Samanta
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral impacts of the ketogenic diet as a treatment option for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).

Results Summary

The ketogenic diet was found to provide cognitive benefits beyond seizure control, contributing to cognitive and behavioral stability, and in some cases, improvement. Nonpharmacological therapies like the ketogenic diet generally offered greater cognitive and behavioral stability when they reduced seizure frequency.

Population

Individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (25)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
valproate
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#1
lamotrigine
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#2
cannabidiol
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#3
fenfluramine
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#4
levetiracetam
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#5
brivaracetam
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#6
felbamate
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#7
rufinamide
no change
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
generally support cognitive stability
#8
topiramate
decrease
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
associated with cognitive challenges
#9
zonisamide
decrease
cognitive effects
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
associated with cognitive challenges
#10
valproate
no change
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
stability is observed
#11
lamotrigine
no change
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
stability is observed
#12
rufinamide
no change
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
stability is observed
#13
cannabidiol
no change
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
stability is observed
#14
fenfluramine
no change
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
stability is observed
#15
levetiracetam
increase
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
can increase aggression or irritability
#16
perampanel
increase
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
can increase aggression or irritability
#17
brivaracetam
increase
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
can increase aggression or irritability
#18
clobazam
increase
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
can increase aggression or irritability
#19
zonisamide
increase
behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
can increase aggression or irritability
#20
Nonpharmacological therapies
no change
cognitive and behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
typically provide greater cognitive and behavioral stability
#21
Nonpharmacological therapies
increase
cognitive and behavioral outcomes
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
some offering improvement
#22
Early intervention-especially through surgical options
no change
cognitive function
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
appears most beneficial for preserving cognitive function
#23
ketogenic diet
increase
cognitive function
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
may provide independent cognitive benefits beyond seizure control
#24
neuromodulation
increase
cognitive function
individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
-
may provide independent cognitive benefits beyond seizure control
#25
Abstract

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy marked by drug-resistant seizures and profound cognitive and behavioral impairments, with nearly 95% of individuals affected by moderate to severe intellectual disability. This review comprehensively explores the cognitive and behavioral impacts of current treatment options for LGS, including antiseizure medications (ASMs), neuromodulation strategies, the ketogenic diet, and surgical interventions. Given the limited availability of LGS-specific data for several ASMs, the evidence base is supplemented with findings from general epilepsy populations and individuals with epilepsy and intellectual disabilities. The evidence reveals that ASMs exert varied cognitive and behavioral effects in LGS. Medications such as valproate, lamotrigine, cannabidiol, fenfluramine, levetiracetam, brivaracetam, felbamate, and rufinamide generally support cognitive stability, while topiramate and zonisamide are associated with cognitive challenges. Behavioral outcomes also vary: stability is observed with valproate, lamotrigine, rufinamide, cannabidiol, and fenfluramine, whereas medications like levetiracetam, perampanel, brivaracetam, clobazam, and zonisamide can increase aggression or irritability. Nonpharmacological therapies, particularly when they reduce seizure frequency, typically provide greater cognitive and behavioral stability, with some offering improvement. Early intervention-especially through surgical options-appears most beneficial for preserving cognitive function. Additionally, therapies such as the ketogenic diet and neuromodulation may provide independent cognitive benefits beyond seizure control. This review emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment strategies, integrating cognitive and behavioral evaluations in therapy selection. Key components include baseline cognitive and behavioral assessments, followed by regular follow-up evaluations, particularly after therapy changes. Consideration of minimizing ASM polytherapy, careful evaluation of drug-drug interactions, pharmacogenomic implications, and the need for therapeutic drug monitoring in cases of cognitive adverse effects is essential. Future research should focus on developing assessment tools tailored to the unique needs of individuals with LGS, utilizing connectivity measures to assess intervention impacts, and advancing precision therapeutics to improve cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansLennox Gastaut SyndromeDiet, KetogenicAnticonvulsants
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year2.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.89
Normalized Score0.66
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