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[Neuropsychological evaluation in children with epilepsy: attention and executive functions in temporal lobe
Ana F D Lopes1, Mário M R Simões, Conceiçao N Robalo
1Universidade da Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. anafilipalopes@fpce.uc.pt
Insights
Children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) show deficits in attention and executive functions, particularly those with earlier onset. Early evaluation and monitoring are crucial for this population.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Pediatric Neurology
Context:
- Attention and executive functions are critical cognitive domains often linked to frontal lobe functioning.
- While frontal lobe epilepsy has been studied, recent research indicates similar deficits in children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
Purpose:
- To investigate attention and executive functions in children with TLE.
- To explore the impact of clinical variables, such as age at epilepsy onset and seizure evolution, on these cognitive functions.
Summary:
- Children with TLE (n=24) exhibited significantly lower performance in selective, sustained, and divided attention, as well as phonemic verbal fluency, compared to controls (n=24).
- Processing speed was significantly slower in the TLE group.
- Earlier age at epilepsy onset correlated with greater difficulties in sustained attention and planning.
Impact:
- Highlights the prevalence of attention and executive function deficits in pediatric TLE.
- Underscores the importance of monitoring these cognitive domains in children and adolescents with TLE.
- Suggests that earlier epilepsy onset may necessitate more intensive cognitive support and intervention.
Introduction:
Attention and executive functions correspond to important areas of cognitive functioning associated with the frontal cortex. The study of attention and executive functions in children with epilepsy has focused on characterizing the group with frontal lobe epilepsy. Still, recent studies have identified deficits in these areas also in children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
Aim:
To investigate attention and executive functions in a group of children with TLE, also considering the influence of clinical variables (age at onset of epilepsy and evolution of seizures).
Subjects And Methods:
Attention and executive functions were studied in a group of 24 children with TLE, aged 7-15 years and compared with 24 control children of the same age and socio-cultural level. Subjects were assigned the following tasks: Cancellation Task, Trail Making Test, Tower of London and Phonemic Verbal Fluency.
Results:
The group with TLE performed significantly lower on selective, sustained and divided attention and on phonemic verbal fluency. In markers concerning commissions and omissions there were no differences between groups in any of the performed tests. A significant slowing of processing speed was reported. In addition, patients with earlier age at onset of epilepsy had more difficulties in sustained attention and planning abilities.
Conclusion:
These results sustain the need for evaluating and monitoring the area of attention, executive functions and processing speed in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy, above all those with earlier age at onset of epilepsy.
