Evaluation of Executive Functions in Patients With Childhood Absence Epilepsy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the executive function of patients with typical absence epilepsy.

Thirty-eight (19 healthy children and 19 patients) individuals were enrolled in this study. Neurocognitive function tests, such as the Serial Digit Learning Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Visual Aural Digit Span Test-Form B, KAS-Animal Test, Trail Making Test-A Time Test, and STROOP Test, were given to all of the participants.

There was a significant difference between the groups on the Serial Digit Learning Test (P = .037) and on a subtest of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. As for the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance, there were significant differences in perseverative errors and perseverative responses between the patient and control groups (P = .011 and P = .010, respectively).

Long-term risk for learning impairments, failure in executive abilities, and short-term memory and attention disorders can occur in children with absence epilepsy.