Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

Childhood epilepsy, attention problems, and ADHD: review and practical considerations

David W Dunn1, William G Kronenberger

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. ddunn@iupui.edu

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
|June 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with epilepsy often experience attention problems, with inattention being more common than hyperactivity. Treatment involves psychoeducation and medication, with stimulants being safe and effective first-line options.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Children with epilepsy face a high risk of attention deficits and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Prevalence rates for these attention issues in epileptic children range from 30% to 40%.
  • Inattentive symptoms are observed more frequently than hyperactive or impulsive behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the current understanding of attention problems in children with epilepsy.
  • To outline risk factors and recommended treatment strategies for attention deficits in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical studies and existing literature on epilepsy and attention disorders in children.
  • Analysis of prevalence data and risk factors.
  • Evaluation of treatment efficacy for attention problems.

Main Results:

  • Attention problems, particularly inattention, are prevalent in 30-40% of children with epilepsy.
  • Central nervous system dysfunction and persistent seizures are significant risk factors.
  • Psychoeducational interventions and medication are crucial components of management.

Conclusions:

  • Attention deficits are a common comorbidity in pediatric epilepsy.
  • Stimulant medications are recognized as safe and effective first-line treatments for attention problems in children with epilepsy.

More Related Videos

Using Brain Activation (nir-HEG/Q-EEG) and Execution Measures (CPTs) in a ADHD Assessment Protocol13:09

Using Brain Activation (nir-HEG/Q-EEG) and Execution Measures (CPTs) in a ADHD Assessment Protocol

Published on: April 1, 2018

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types: