Deep brain stimulation on cognition in epilepsy: A concentration on learning and memory

Cognitive dysfunction is one of the common comorbidities of epilepsy. More than 60 % of epilepsy patients may experience impairment in learning, memory, attention, and executive control. At present, it can only control the symptoms of seizures, and there is no specific treatment for cognitive impairment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used to treat intractable epilepsy, with proven safety. Recently data suggests that DBS can not only improve the seizure control, but also improved cognitive function. This review summarizes the effects of DBS on cognitive impairment in epilepsy, including the current status and application of DBS, the influence of different DBS targets on brain of DBS on cognitive impairment in epilepsy, the possible mechanisms of DBS on cognitive impairment and its future prospects. It provides a theoretical basis for its further clinical application in epilepsy patients with cognitive dysfunction.