[Cognitive effects of perampanel assessed by the EpiTrack Junior Test in school-aged children with epilepsy]

To evaluate the impact of add-on perampanel on cognitive functions in school-aged children with epilepsy using the EpiTrack Junior test.

Seventy-five patients aged 6-18 years were assessed before and 2 months after reaching a stable perampanel dose. They are divided into 2 groups according to the inclusion period (before 2023 and after 2023) due to the emergence of new literature data on the drug's specific effectiveness in early adjuvant therapy after 2023. The 1^st retrospective group consisted of 49 patients, most of whom were prescribed perampanel as a 4^th-6^th drug (54%). The 2^nd prospective group consisted of 26 patients, most of whom (65%) were prescribed perampanel as a 2^nd-3^rd drug. Changes in total and subtest scores were analyzed versus diagnosis, sex, seizure-onset age, pharmacoresistance and EEG.

66 patients completed the study. A significant increase in total EpiTrack score was observed (p<0.05) with positive correlation to seizure-onset age. Seizure reduction ≥50 % occurred in 68% and EEG improved in 40.9%. Reversible adverse events were reported in 25.8%. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups for any of these factors.

Adjunctive perampanel improves executive functions and is well tolerated in school-aged children with epilepsy.