[Neuropsychological assessment protocol for adults in epilepsy surgery]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Refractory epilepsy often necessitates neurosurgery for seizure control.
• Neurosurgery for epilepsy aims to eliminate or reduce seizures when they are untreatable.

Purpose of the Study:

• Propose a neuropsychological evaluation model for adult epilepsy surgery candidates.
• Establish a baseline of cognitive performance, reserve, and manual dominance.
• Assess cognitive functions including attention, language, memory, and executive functions.

Main Methods:

• An open protocol for comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.
• Inclusion of psychopathological examination and quality of life assessment.
• Utilizing a battery of techniques and consensus for data evaluation.

Main Results:

• The model provides a baseline of cognitive performance and reserve.
• Identifies cognitive strengths and weaknesses relevant to surgical planning.
• Facilitates localization of the epileptic focus and prediction of cognitive sequelae.

Conclusions:

• A proposed assessment model for the neuropsychological profile of epilepsy surgery candidates.
• The model is open for discussion and serves as a benchmark for epilepsy centers.
• Aids in minimizing cognitive deficits post-surgery and informing patient prognosis.