Impaired Motor Control in Patients With Benign Focal Epilepsy of Childhood

Abstract

Upper extremity motor function was quantitatively assessed in 6 children (age 7-11 years) treated with antiepileptic drugs for benign focal epilepsies of childhood and compared with that of 30 age-matched normal children. Both motor performance and adaptation to perturbing mechanical constraints imposed by a robotic device were significantly impaired in children with benign focal epilepsies of childhood. Our findings thus question whether certain "benign" epilepsies are truly benign and whether pharmacologic treatment might contribute to motor impairment.