What EEG pattern is associated with Ohtahara Syndrome?

Burst suppression is an EEG pattern characterized by alternating periods of high-voltage bursts of electrical activity followed by low-voltage activity or suppression. This specific pattern is commonly associated with Ohtahara Syndrome, which is a severe form of early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. Children with Ohtahara Syndrome often present with developmental delays and frequent seizures that are resistant to treatment, and the burst suppression pattern reflects the underlying dysfunction in the brain as it attempts to manage these neurological disturbances.

The other EEG patterns listed—delta waves, spike and wave discharges, and alpha rhythm—are typically associated with different neurological conditions or states of brain activity and do not specifically indicate Ohtahara Syndrome. Delta waves, for instance, are common in deep sleep and certain pathological conditions but are not characteristic of this syndrome. Spike and wave discharges are often seen in absence seizures or other types of epilepsy, while alpha rhythm is generally associated with relaxed wakefulness in healthy individuals. Thus, recognizing that burst suppression is the hallmark EEG pattern for Ohtahara Syndrome is crucial in understanding this severe condition.