Is epileptiform activity related to developmental language disorder? Findings from the HelSLI study

Hanna-Reetta Lajunen; Marja Laasonen; Pekka Lahti-Nuuttila; Miika Leminen; Sini Smolander; Sari Kunnari; Eva Arkkila; Leena Lauronen

Clinical Neurophysiology Practice (Jan 2023)

Is epileptiform activity related to developmental language disorder? Findings from the HelSLI study

Hanna-Reetta Lajunen,
Marja Laasonen,
Pekka Lahti-Nuuttila,
Miika Leminen,
Sini Smolander,
Sari Kunnari,
Eva Arkkila,
Leena Lauronen

Affiliations

Hanna-Reetta Lajunen: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Corresponding author at: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, PO Box 800, 00029 HUS, Finland.
Marja Laasonen: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Logopedics, School of Humanities, Philosophical Faculty, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
Pekka Lahti-Nuuttila: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Miika Leminen: Unit of Analytics and Data Services, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
Sini Smolander: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Research Unit of Logopedics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, Finland
Sari Kunnari: Research Unit of Logopedics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, Finland
Eva Arkkila: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Leena Lauronen: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital and Epilepsia Helsinki, Finland

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8
pp. 65 – 70

Abstract

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Objective: To study if interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) are associated with language performance or pre-/perinatal factors in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Methods: We recorded routine EEG in wake and sleep in 205 children aged 2.9–7.1 years with DLD, without neurologic diseases or intellectual disability. We examined the language performance of the children and collected data on pre-/perinatal factors. Results: Interictal epileptiform discharges were not associated with lower language performance. Children with so-called “rolandic”, i.e. centrotemporoparietal, IEDs had better language skills, but age explained this association. Most pre-/perinatal factors evaluated did not increase the risk of rolandic IEDs, except for maternal smoking (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.4–14). We did not find electrical status epilepticus during slow-wave sleep (ESES)/spike-and-wave activation in sleep (SWAS) in any children. Conclusions: Interictal epileptiform discharges are not associated with lower language performance, and ESES/SWAS is not common in children with DLD. Significance: Routine EEGs do not bring additional information about language performance in children with DLD who do not have any neurologic diseases, seizures, intellectual disability, or regression of language development.

Published in Clinical Neurophysiology Practice

ISSN: 2467-981X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/clinical-neurophysiology-practice

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