Neuropsychological functioning and psychopathology in children with epilepsy

Fifty children with epilepsy, aged 8-12, were classified into two groups on the basis of their performance on a standardized battery of neuropsychological measures. Children with good neuropsychological function (n = 25) were compared to a closely matched group of children with poor neuropsychological function (n = 25) on measures of aggression, overall behavioral pathology, and overall social competence which were derived from a standardized bahavioral assessment inventory. Children with poor neuropsychological function manifested significantly more aggression, overall psychopathology, and less overall social competence compared to the children with relatively good neuropsychological functioning. These results are related to the larger literature concerned with the relationship between epilepsy and psychopathology.