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Cognitive effects of seizures
1Laboratory for Neuropsychology, Department of Internal Medicine-Section Neurology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185-4K3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. guy.vingerhoets@ugent.be
Seizure
|March 21, 2006
Summary
Repeated seizures may cause a mild cognitive decline in children and adults, particularly affecting memory. Certain children show significant intellectual decline, with risk factors including epilepsy type and medication use.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Structural brain changes from seizures are known, but functional cognitive effects are unclear.
- Methodological challenges exist in studying chronic seizure effects on cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review prospective and cross-sectional studies on the gradual and chronic effects of seizures on cognition.
- To clarify the functional cognitive repercussions of cumulative seizures.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent prospective and cross-sectional studies.
- Analysis of cognitive measures, including intelligence and memory.
- Consideration of risk factors and confounding variables.
Main Results:
- Most studies show no significant adverse effects in children, but 10-25% experience intellectual decline.
- Adults with pharmacoresistant epilepsy may show mild cognitive decline, especially in memory.
- Data on specific cognitive decline in children is limited; cross-sectional results are contradictory.
Conclusions:
- Seizures appear to cause a mild, measurable decline in intellectual performance in children and adults.
- Memory is the most vulnerable cognitive function in adults.
- The precise effect of seizures per se is difficult to ascertain due to confounding factors.