Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice
13:34

Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice

Published on: June 4, 2020

Family function in cognitively normal children with epilepsy: impact on competence and problem behaviors

Nancy Thornton1, Lorie Hamiwka, Elisabeth Sherman

  • 1Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada.

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|October 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Family dynamics impact children with epilepsy and their siblings. While overall family function was average, specific areas like involvement and role performance showed differences, affecting child behavior and competence.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Child Psychology
  • Family Systems Theory

Background:

  • Epilepsy in children can impact family functioning and child behavior.
  • Understanding family dynamics is crucial for supporting children with neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate family functioning and its correlation with behavior and competence in children with epilepsy and their siblings.
  • To compare family assessment scores between families with a child with epilepsy and normative data.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 82 children (6-17 years) with epilepsy and their siblings.
  • Parents completed the Family Assessment Measure III (FAM-III) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for both children.
  • Statistical analysis to compare family scores and correlate with child outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Overall family functioning scores were comparable to normative means.
  • Families scored higher on Involvement but lower on Role Performance.
  • Moderate correlations found between family function, child competence, and behavior problems.
  • Children in lower-functioning families experienced more problems, with epilepsy patients showing higher rates in average-functioning families.

Conclusions:

  • Family functioning, particularly role performance, is a significant factor for children with epilepsy.
  • Interventions should consider family dynamics to support children's behavioral and cognitive development.
  • Targeted support for families with children with epilepsy may improve child outcomes.

More Related Videos

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

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research08:42

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research

Published on: July 31, 2017

Related Concept Videos

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...
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:
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
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,...
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.
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory01:14

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the cerebellum's...