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Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD
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Attention and executive functions in children with epilepsy: what, why, and what to do

William S MacAllister1, Marsha Vasserman, Joshua Rosenthal

  • 1a Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University , New York , New York.

Applied Neuropsychology. Child
|February 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Children with epilepsy often experience attention and executive function deficits. This review covers their neurological basis, impact in childhood epilepsy, and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Attention and executive functions are crucial cognitive skills frequently impaired in pediatric neurological conditions.
  • Epilepsy syndromes in childhood are consistently associated with executive dysfunction.
  • Understanding these deficits is vital for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on attention and executive functions, including their neurological underpinnings.
  • To discuss general cognitive function and specific attention/executive function impairments in childhood epilepsy.
  • To explore treatment considerations and future research directions for these deficits.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
  • Focus on neurological basis of attention and executive functions.
  • Analysis of cognitive function in childhood epilepsy.

Main Results:

  • Attention and executive function deficits are common in childhood neurological disorders, particularly epilepsy.
  • Specific patterns of executive dysfunction are observed across childhood epilepsy syndromes.
  • Neurological underpinnings of these cognitive skills are complex and varied.

Conclusions:

  • Children with epilepsy frequently exhibit attention and executive function impairments.
  • Targeted interventions are necessary to address these cognitive deficits.
  • Further research is needed to optimize treatment and improve outcomes for affected children.

Keywords:
ADHDattentionepilepsyexecutive functions

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