Cognitive function in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

In this study, we examined 35 patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and 35 healthy volunteers. We used tests of cognitive performance (mini mental state examination, verbal and visual memory, visuospatial, frontal function, attention). In the JME group, we examined age, sex, family history, education level, age of seizure onset, seizure types, characteristics of EEG, duration of the therapy, drug dose and level, and verbal IQ level. Additionally, patients initially diagnosed as JME and patients who were initially under inappropriate drug therapy because of misdiagnosis were compared. As a result, we found statistically significant differences between JME patients and the control group with respect to verbal and visual memory. Furthermore, JME patients had impaired frontal and visuospatial function compared with the control group. We detected negative effects of younger age, family history, and absence seizures on cognitive function in JME patients.