Neuropsychological assessment in newly diagnosed cryptogenic partial epilepsy in children--a pilot study

Cryptogenic epilepsy (CE) is defined as a partial or generalized epilepsy syndromes in which we can not point out any underlying cause. The role of neuropsychological assessment of "non-lesional" epilepsies is crucial not only to better control of different medical treatment but also to understanding the role of epilepsy for cognitive functions. The aim of the study was to compare the intellectual and cognitive functions between children with newly diagnosed cryptogenic partial epilepsy (CPE) children and the control healthy group.

184 participants, 89 patients with cryptogenic partial epilepsy and 95 healthy children and adolescents, with ages ranging from 6-16 years were assessed on neuropsychological tests of general intellectual functioning and selected cognitive skills.

There were significant differences found between groups for four examined functions. Children with CPE scored significantly lower in verbal and categorial fluency, visuoconstructional tasks, learning and memory than group of healthy children. There was no differences in general IQ level.

Study of neuropsychological profile in newly diagnosed CPE can get us an information of influence of stable, related to illness factors and the paroxysmal activity on cognitive function. Neurological follow-up of children with CPE at the very beginning of diagnosis should include screening evaluation of cognitive functions to provide appropriate intervention.