Subjective cognition is linked to everyday functioning in epilepsy
Louisa Hohmann1,2, Justus Berger2, Shirley-Uloma Kastell2
1Department of Neurology, Berlin-Brandenburg Epilepsy Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Free University and Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Objective:
Many people with epilepsy (PWE) suffer from reduced everyday functioning such as unemployment, relationship difficulties, or lifestyle limitations. To identify whether subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) is a potential source of these impairments, associations with restrictions of daily life (RDL) and reduced daily activities (DA) were examined.
Methods:
In a prospective cross-sectional sample of 316 adult in-patients with epilepsy, multiple regression analyses were calculated predicting RDL and DA. The relationships between these two measures and SCI were controlled for age, sex, seizure frequency, presence of structural lesions, epilepsy duration, mono- vs polytherapy and adverse events of antiseizure medication (ASM), level of depressive and anxiety symptoms, education, and employment. We also checked for an interaction between depressive symptoms and SCI, to evaluate whether patients with more depressive symptoms are more vulnerable for unfavorable associations between SCI and RDL or DA, respectively. General dominance indices (GDIs) were calculated to compare predictors.
Results:
Substantial SCI was present in 46% of our sample. SCI was independently associated with RDL and DA. Comparison of relative predictor importance revealed that SCI accounted for 23% of the total variance of RDL (GDISCI = 0.12, = 50%) and 24% of the total variance of DA (GDISCI = 0.08, = 32%). SCI was among the two most important predictors in both models. PWE with more depressive symptoms had stronger associations between SCI and RDL or DA, respectively.
Significance:
Subjective cognitive impairment represents a frequent concern in PWE and may have detrimental consequences for their everyday life. PWE with depressive symptoms may be at greater risk of unfavorable relationships between SCI and everyday functioning. Exchange and collaboration between professionals offering psychotherapeutic, neuropsychological, and psychosocial interventions are crucial to address the patients' individual needs.
More Related Videos
12:09Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
08:23A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:24Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
01:13Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
01:27Language and Cognition
01:37Reason and Intuition
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...