[Epilepsy and the speed of learning motor skills]

In 64 epileptics (mean age 35.7 years, mean onset of the disease at the age of 12.1 years) the author used a test of learning a series of movements (TOSP B). It involves the performance of a series of three asymmetrical movements maximal speed of learning is evaluated. Patients with epilepsy have a significantly reduced rate of motor learning, as compared with two comparable group of healthy subjects (104 and 67 subjects). Patients with a favourable course of the disease (n = 24) are significantly quicker than patients with an adverse development of the disease (n = 40). The author discusses the revealed significant correlation with the duration of the disease, contact with psychiatry, later onset of the disease, IQ and education, Contrary to expectations, the correlation with age was not significant, the factor of the disease being more important than the factor of ageing. Tests of asymmetrical movements are sensitive for the detection of relatively subclinical symptoms of cerebral affections. They prove useful as a stable part of neuropsychological examinations in epileptic patients.