Comparison of executive function in idiopathic generalized epilepsy versus temporal lobe epilepsy

Executive function (EF) deficits are common in epilepsy and impact quality of life. This study compares EF in idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients to healthy controls. Fifty-six IGE patients, 56 TLE patients, and 60 controls (matched by age) completed cognitive tests assessing attention, memory, learning, and verbal fluency. Both epilepsy groups performed worse than controls, with TLE patients showing significantly poorer verbal learning and memory compared to IGE patients. These findings suggest that TLE patients have more severe EF impairments, likely due to focal temporal lobe dysfunction and disruptions in EF networks.