Impact of Rolandic Epilepsy on Language, Cognitive, and Behavioral Functioning in Children: A Review

Aim: The objective of this narrative review was to investigate how the clinical aspects age-at- onset, epilepsy duration, centrotemporal spikes, spike-location, and seizure frequency affect various domains of language, cognition, and behavior in children with rolandic epilepsy. Method: Data were collected using various research databases, including Wiley Online Library, PubMed Central, Elsevier ClinicalKey, and Springer Complete Journals. Keywords such as ‘Rolandic epilepsy’ or ‘Rolandic epilepsy and language impairment’ were used among other terms. Case reports, meta-analyses, and reviews were excluded.
Results: Children with rolandic epilepsy are mainly impaired in semantic processing (receptive language), working memory, attention/inhibitory control, complex visuospatial skills, and social skills. Functional MRI reveals not only structural abnormalities, but also alterations in language, sensorimotor, attentional, and social networks, suggesting long-term consequences.
Conclusion: It so seems that the occurrence of centrotemporal spikes (with or without seizures), especially at a young age (below 8 years) and for an extended period of time is the most meaningful contributor to the language, cognitive, and behavioral deficits in RE, while the distribution of centrotemporal spikes (left, right, bilateral) seems of only little significance.