Jump to section:

An accurate diagnosis can make a real difference to your patients living with LGS1,2

Patients with LGS may reach adulthood without a specific diagnosis. At any age, an appropriate diagnosis can lead to more targeted care1,3

Future Care For Patients | Forward Arrow Icon

A specific diagnosis can help

when setting expectations and planning for future care with patients and caregivers.1

Personalized Treatment Plans | Paper Icon

Treatment plans can be personalized

to a patient's particular conditions.1

Access to Treatment | Medication Icon

Access to treatment can be improved

with a specific diagnosis of a patient's condition.2

Corey, at age 17

EPIDIOLEX patient living with LGS

Clinical features of LGS may delay or impede diagnosis:

Presentation of LGS | Question Mark Icon

Presentation is variable

sometimes without traditional signs and symptoms of LGS at onset.1,4,5

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Changes Over Time | LGS Time Icon

LGS changes over time

with different seizure types that evolve as patients age.1

Losing EEG Features | People Icon

Details of medical history may be lost

during transfer from pediatric to adult care, and characteristic EEG features may no longer be present by adulthood.2,3

The classic diagnostic triad is often used for initial diagnosis1,3:

Multiple seizure types

Cognitive impairment

Abnormal EEG

Symptoms change with age; therefore, this triad cannot be solely relied on. At any age, an appropriate diagnosis can lead to more targeted care and better outcomes.

By adulthood, ~50% to 75% of patients diagnosed with LGS during childhood may no longer display all of the clinical and EEG features typically used to diagnose the syndrome.3

LEARN MORE

Refractory Epilepsy Screening Tool for LGS, REST-LGS

Screen for LGS

The Refractory Epilepsy Screening Tool for LGS (REST-LGS) was developed by a panel of experts to identify LGS.2

Try the tool

Identifying and Diagnosing Adult Patients Living With LGS

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is an epilepsy syndrome that can be challenging to detect and diagnose, particularly in adults. This article examines tools and resources for diagnosing LGS.

Read now

The signs and symptoms of LGS change over time, confounding diagnosis

IDENTIFYING LGS ACROSS AGE GROUPS

kids-green

YOUNG CHILDREN

(symptoms emerge: 2-8 years; peak onset: 3-5 years)5,6

adults-green

ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS

SEIZURE
TYPES

  • Generalized tonic and atonic seizures, and atypical absences5

  • Tonic seizures during sleep1,5

  • Generalized tonic-clonic and focal seizures may also occur5

  • Generalized tonic-clonic and atonic seizures, and atypical absences1,3,6

  • Tonic seizures present during sleep and may occur during wakefulness4,9

  • Increase in drop attacks leading to injury3,7

SEIZURE FREQUENCY

  • Daily to several times per week6-8

  • Changing frequency; fewer daytime seizures in some patients9

EEG

  • Pattern of slow spike-wave (SSW) complexes1,5

  • Decrease in/disappearance of SSW complexes, but other EEG abnormalities such as paroxysmal fast rhythms may be present7,9

NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES

  • Occurs in early childhood4,5

  • Up to one-third of patients may show normal functioning at or prior to seizure onset4,5

  • Up to 95% of patients may have cognitive impairment5

  • Behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, aggression, and autistic traits are seen in 50% of patients with LGS4,6,9

  • Motor impairment and gait deterioration may become more apparent3,7

Other common hallmarks of LGS2,3:

  • Persistent seizures despite trial of 2 or more ASMs
  • Helmet/safety precautions to prevent seizure-related injuries

If your patients exhibit any of these signs or symptoms, consider evaluating them for LGS. The cognitive and behavioral issues associated with LGS can be just as challenging for families and caregivers as the seizures themselves.1

The information provided is not intended to supersede independent clinical judgment or institutional protocols.

Similar resources

Diagnosing an Adult Patient With LGS

A case study of a hypothetical patient with LGS who has been transferred to your care.

Watch now

 Patient living with LGS | Two Men Smiling in Wooded Area

LGS data

EPIDIOLEX significantly reduced drop/total seizure frequency in patients living with LGS.

See the data
Efficacy of EPIDIOLEX and clobazam in LGS

Drop seizure reduction in patients with LGS taking concomitant clobazam was evaluated in a prespecified exploratory analysis.10

Review the data