MedPath

Music Perception in SeLECTs

Recruiting
Conditions
Rolandic Epilepsy
Interventions
Other: Patients
Registration Number
NCT06545708
Lead Sponsor
Hospices Civils de Lyon
Brief Summary

Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS) is the most frequent epilepsy syndrome in children between the ages of 4 and 13 years. SeLECTS is associated in 15 to 30% of patients with specific cognitive deficits, including in particular disorders in language, visuo-spatial memory, declarative memory, and attention. SeLECTS has the potential to evolve into Landau-Kleffner syndrome, the most extreme form of SeLECTS including symptoms of auditory agnosia and aphasia, with potential risks of persistent neuropsychological impairments. In a recent study in adults who had suffered Landau-Kleffner syndrome during childhood, the investigators have shown that these patients, in addition to their known deficit in verbal short-term memory, also exhibit persistent musical difficulties during adulthood, with in particular deficit in melody and rhythm short-term memory.

In the present project, the investigators intend to enlarge the understanding of cognitive deficits generated by SeLECTS in children by investigating the integrity of music perception, both for melody and rhythm. To date, data about music perception in children with epilepsy are scarce and we do not know how distinct components of melody and rhythm perception and memory may be altered.

Detailed Description

Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS) is the most frequent epilepsy syndrome in children between the ages of 4 and 13 years. The defining electroclinical feature of SeLECTS is the presence of centrotemporal spikes on EEG between seizures. SeLECTS is associated with specific cognitive deficits in 15 to 30% of patients, including disorders in language, visuo-spatial memory, explicit memory, and attention. The centrotemporal spikes are activated in sleep and, in rare cases, the condition has the potential to evolve into an Epileptic Encephalopathy with spike- and- wave activation in sleep (EE-SWAS), including Landau-Kleffner syndrome. The latest is characterized by symptoms of auditory agnosia and aphasia, with potential risks of persistent neuropsychological impairments. In a previous study, it has been shown that these patients also exhibit persistent musical difficulties.

In the present project, the investigators intend to enlarge the understanding of cognitive deficits generated by SeLECTS in children by analyzing the integrity of music perception, both for melody and rhythm, as well as testing the potential of a musical intervention for auditory and cognitive training in children suffering from SeLECTS.

The current research plan is to explore music perception in this specific epilepsy syndrome, with behavioral testing (Experiment 1) and neuroimaging using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) (Experiment 2), and on the long run, informed by this exploration and previous studies, the design of a musical therapeutic intervention is envisioned in order to evaluate the impact of this program on music perception, language, and memory.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subject aged between 5 and 14 years old
  • Non-opposition of parents or guardians for the child's participation in the study
  • No major cognitive impairment and ability to understand and apply instructions
  • Subject affiliated to a social security scheme
  • Subject motivated to participate in the project
  • Proficiency with the French language

For the group of control participants:

• Without neurological or psychiatric history

For the group of participants with seizure disorder:

  • No neurological (except EPCT) or psychiatric history
  • Diagnosis of self-limited epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (PTSE) by a qualified healthcare professional.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Major cognitive impairment or inability to understand and apply instructions
  • Individuals refusing to participate in the study
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding minors

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ControlsPatientsThis group consists of healthy individuals between 5 and 14 years old, with no history of epilepsy and/or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
PatientsPatientsThis group consists of children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 14, diagnosed with self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes by a medical professional (epileptologist or neurologist), and in the active phase of the disorder.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Performance obtained in rhythmic tasks2 Years

Comparison between controls and patients using Bayesian ANOVAs to response times obtained with rhythmic tasks.

Performance obtained in melodic tasks2 Years

Comparison between controls and patients using Bayesian ANOVAs to response times obtained with melodic tasks;

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier (Bât. 452),

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Bron, France

Hospices Civils de Lyon

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Bron, France

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