Benefit of corticosteroid therapy in Angelman syndrome

J Child Neurol. 2009 Aug;24(8):952-8. doi: 10.1177/0883073808331344.

Abstract

Angelman syndrome is often associated with an intractable seizure disorder. We describe 4 children who demonstrated an excellent response to corticosteroid therapy. The benefits included not only reduction in clinical seizures but also modification of the "typical'' Angelman electroencephalogram. In addition, there was improvement in the myoclonic jerks, sleep pattern, and developmental progress. Corticosteroids appeared to have a broad benefit on the epileptic encephalopathy. We believe that these cases pose a challenge to the conventional management of intractable epilepsy in Angelman syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Angelman Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Angelman Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Child Development / drug effects
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Myoclonus / drug therapy
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Sleep / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones