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Bogut L, Andersen K, Grejsen J, Gimenez-Rico MJM, Debes NMM. Decreased Cognitive Function in Danish Children with Epilepsy. Neuropediatrics 2023; 54:328-334. [PMID: 37607574 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with epilepsy have a significantly increased risk of cognitive impairment. EpiTrack Junior is a screening tool developed for fast assessment of cognitive function in children with epilepsy. The tool is validated for German children. This cohort study aims to investigate the differences in cognitive function between healthy Danish children and Danish children diagnosed with epilepsy METHODS: The cognitive function of 204 healthy controls and 90 children and adolescents diagnosed with epilepsy was examined using EpiTrack Junior. The participants of the control group were aged 6 to 16 years. The patients were aged 6 to 20 years. Statistical analyses were performed with the use of SPSS Statistics. RESULTS The control group showed significantly higher scores than the patient group in three of six subtests and total test scores (p-values ranging from 0.033 to <0.001). When grouped according to the EpiTrack Junior guidelines, more patients showed scores "below average" or "poor" compared to the control group. The age-corrected total score was not associated with antiepileptic drug treatment (p-value of 0.732) nor with a history of focal seizures (p-value of 0.215). A history of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) was associated with a higher EpiTrack Junior score (p-value of 0.035). CONCLUSION The patient group showed statistically significant lower test scores compared to the control group confirming the relationship between impaired cognitive function and childhood epilepsy. Furthermore, a correlation between a higher EpiTrack Junior score and the presence of GTCS was found. Focal seizures and antiepileptic drug treatment were not associated with the EpiTrack Junior score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bogut
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Kaja Andersen
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Judy Grejsen
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Domańska M, Zawadzka M, Konieczna S, Mazurkiewicz-Bełdzińska M. Impairment of cognitive functions in children and adolescents with focal epilepsy. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17210. [PMID: 37360098 PMCID: PMC10285258 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Frontal Lobe Epilepsy (FLE) and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) are the two most frequent types of focal epilepsies and they are connected with difficulties in cognitive functioning. Despite multiple trials to systematize profile of cognitive functioning among children with epilepsy by researchers, the available data are ambiguous. The aim of our study was to compare the cognitive function of children upon diagnosis of TLE and FLE and during follow-up and to compare with a control group of healthy children. Material and methods Study included 39 patients with newly diagnosed TLE, 24 patients with FLE whose first epileptic seizure occurred between their 6th and 12th year of life and 24 healthy children matched by age, sex and IQ level. Neuropsychological examination was performed the moment of diagnosis and 2-3 years later using diagnostic tools validated and standardized to the patient's age. Intergroup comparison was conducted in both stages of study. Also, correlation between localization of epileptic focus and cognitive difficulties was analysed. Results Children with FLE and TLE accomplished worse results in most of the cognitive tasks compared to the control group already in the initial examination. Patients with FLE presented difficulties in memorizing verbal and visual material, attention and in learning new information. Patients with TLE had difficulties in tasks engaging verbal and non-verbal memory and attention. In the follow-up, patients with FLE presented more severe cognitive impairment compared with the other groups. Despite similar tendencies among children with TLE significantly worse results in tasks engaging verbal memory and attention were observed among patients with FLE. It is noteworthy that patients suffering from FLE and TLE present deficits in many aspects of cognitive functioning already at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion Children and adolescents suffering from epilepsy are at risk of psychosocial difficulties, emotional disorders and mental illnesses. Thus, full assessment of cognitive function is essential in this patient group not only at the moment of diagnosis but also during follow-up in order to quickly introduce an individual support system.
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Yue X, Liu XM, Chen J, Chen HY, Tan QQ, Zhou Y. The Efficacy and Cognitive Impact of Perampanel Monotherapy in Patients with Self-Limited Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes: A Retrospective Analysis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1263-1271. [PMID: 37274142 PMCID: PMC10237329 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s410858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The third generation of antiepileptic medication (ASM) perampanel (PER), is mostly used as an add-on treatment for refractory epilepsy patients, and rarely used as a monotherapy. This study aims to observe the efficacy and assess the cognitive effects of PER monotherapy in patients with self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS). Patients and Methods Through screening, 86 patients who were first diagnosed with SeLECTS and treated with PER monotherapy were included in this study. All patients were followed up at least 12 months, and Evaluated the efficacy and safety of PER by observing the seizures of patients. At the same time, we used the P300 event-related potential (ERP) component and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) to evaluate the cognitive changes in children before and after treatment with PER. Results Ten percent of the children experienced adverse effects, such as dizziness, gait instability, and irritability. The drug retention rate at the last follow-up was 98.83%. Further more, the P300 ERP component and WISC-IV tests were performed no significant difference before and 12 months after PER monotherapy in SeLECTS children. Conclusion The third-generation of ASM PER monotherapy had a clear effect in children with SeLECTS. A small dose of PER can control seizures well and has no obvious effect on cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Yue
- Department of Neurology, XuZhou Children’s Hospital, XuZhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ming Liu
- Department of Neurology, XuZhou Children’s Hospital, XuZhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiao Chen
- Department of Neurology, XuZhou Children’s Hospital, XuZhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Yun Chen
- Puluo (Wuhan) Medical Biotechnology Co., LTD, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian-Qian Tan
- Puluo (Wuhan) Medical Biotechnology Co., LTD, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Puluo (Wuhan) Medical Biotechnology Co., LTD, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
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Operto FF, Pastorino GMG, Viggiano A, Dell’Isola GB, Dini G, Verrotti A, Coppola G. Epilepsy and Cognitive Impairment in Childhood and Adolescence: A Mini-Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1646-1665. [PMID: 35794776 PMCID: PMC10514538 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220706102708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Managing epilepsy in people with an intellectual disability remains a therapeutic challenge and must take into account additional issues such as diagnostic difficulties and frequent drug resistance. Advances in genomic technologies improved our understanding of epilepsy and raised the possibility to develop patients-tailored treatments acting on the key molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the disease. In addition to conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs), ketogenic diet, hormone therapy and epilepsy surgery play an important role, especially in cases of drugresistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mainfactors influencing cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy and the main therapeutic options available for the epilepsies associated with intellectual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Andrea Viggiano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Dini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
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Hadad S, Ibrahim HK, Desoky T, Suleiman SM, Sayed TA. The ability of executive functions to predict deterioration in social abstraction in adolescents with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. MIDDLE EAST CURRENT PSYCHIATRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43045-022-00223-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Epilepsy is a prevalent disease worldwide. Executive functions and social cognition are essential in daily living functioning, academic performance, and social adjustment. This study attempts to investigate the executive functions and ability to abstract social concepts in adolescents who have idiopathic generalized epilepsy and assess if the deterioration in executive functions can predict deterioration in the ability to abstract social concepts. Sixty adolescents with idiopathic generalized epilepsy aged between 12 and 19 collected from the neurology outpatient clinic at Sohag University Hospital in Upper Egypt were compared with 60 age- and sex-matched healthy adolescents regarding performance on executive function tests and ability to abstract social concepts tests. We used the Tower test to assess planning, the design fluency test to assess cognitive flexibility, the verbal fluency test to assess verbal fluency, and the Stroop test (overlapping between colour and word test) to assess inhibition and ability to abstract the social concepts test, which is composed of verbal part and performance part.
Results
Adolescents who have idiopathic generalized epilepsy have worse executive function impairment in all executive functions than control adolescents. Adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy have significantly more impairment in the ability to abstract social concepts (verbal and performance) compared to control adolescents. There is a significant correlation between executive functions and the ability to abstract social concepts (verbal and performance) in epileptic and control adolescents. Impairment in some executive functions can predict impairment in the ability to abstract social concepts (verbal and performance) in epileptic and control adolescents. Executive function impairment is correlated with the duration of illness, frequency of seizures per year, time since last epileptic fit, and presence of interictal epileptic discharge in EEG in the patient group.
Conclusions
Executive functions and the ability to abstract social concepts are significantly impaired in adolescents who have idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Impairment in executive functions can predict impairment in the ability to abstract social concepts. There is a need to screen executive functions and social abilities of adolescents with epilepsy and programmes to enhance these abilities.
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Pfeifer MT, Kostev K, Doege C. Sex-related associations between body mass index and the incidence of epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 136:108926. [PMID: 36252290 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the association between both overweight and underweight and epilepsy in adult individuals using a large German database. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was based on data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) and included patients with documented body mass index (BMI) values followed up in one of 832 general practices in Germany between January 2006 and December 2019. The association between BMI categories and the 10-year incidence of epilepsy was studied separately for women and men using Cox regression models adjusted for age and comorbidities. RESULTS This study included 822,071 patients. The proportions of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity were 1.6%, 33.4%, 36.7%, and 28.3% respectively. Underweight was significantly and positively associated with the incidence of epilepsy (HR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.31-2.11) compared to normal weight. This association was much stronger in men (HR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.71-3.88) than in women (HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.10-1.98). However, underweight was significantly associated with an increased risk of generalized epilepsy only (HR: 4.38; 95% CI: 1.34-14.35), but no significant associations between weight and the incidence of focal epilepsy was observed. CONCLUSION In conclusion, a significant and positive association between underweight and generalized and unclassified epilepsy was observed, which was stronger in men than in women. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and find the reasons for this association.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Corinna Doege
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Central Hospital, Bremen, Germany
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Operto FF, Orsini A, Sica G, Scuoppo C, Padovano C, Vivenzio V, de Simone V, Rinaldi R, Belfiore G, Mazza R, Aiello S, Vetri L, Donadio S, Labate A, Pastorino GMG. Perampanel and childhood absence epilepsy: A real life experience. Front Neurol 2022; 13:952900. [PMID: 36034267 PMCID: PMC9404324 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.952900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel (PER) as first add-on and as second line monotherapy in subjects with childhood absence epilepsy. Methods Our sample consisted of 20 patients with childhood absence epilepsy, aged between 8 and 10, already in therapy with a first antiseizure medication with incomplete seizure control. PER was added as first add-on in a dose ranging from 3 to 8 mg/die with 1- 2 mg/week increments. The patients that were seizure-free were shifted to a PER monotherapy. All patients underwent a standardized neuropsychological evaluation in order to assess non-verbal intelligence and executive functions before adding PER and after 6 months of drug therapy. All parents completed two questionnaires, in order to assess the emotional-behavioral problems and parental stress. Results 15/20 patients responded to add-on PER and were seizure-free, in 3/20 patients we observed a reduction of seizure frequency <50%, and in the 2 remaining patients the add-on therapy with PER did not lead to a reduction in seizures frequency from baseline. The patients who were seizure-free were switched to PER monotherapy. 9/15 patients remained seizure-free in monotherapy with PER. In the first month of therapy with PER 2/20 patients (10%) reported mild, transient side effects of irritability, headache and dizziness, which did not lead to discontinuation of therapy. Adjunctive treatment with PER did not negatively affect non-verbal intelligence, executive functions, emotional/behavioral symptoms of children and parental stress levels. Significance Our clinical experience in real life showed that PER appears to be effective in the control of absence seizures in childhood absence epilepsy, with a favorable tolerability profile. PER would seem effective on absence seizures even in monotherapy. Further studies with larger samples, longer follow-up and controlled vs. placebo (or other first choice antiseizure medications) are needed to confirm our data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesca Felicia Operto
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Scuoppo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Padovano
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Vivenzio
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valeria de Simone
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Rosetta Rinaldi
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gilda Belfiore
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberta Mazza
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Salvatore Aiello
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Luigi Vetri
- OASI Research Institute- IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Serena Donadio
- Department of Psychology, Educational and Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Labate
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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Operto FF, Scuoppo C, Padovano C, Vivenzio V, Belfiore G, de Simone V, Pistola I, Rinaldi R, Diaspro G, Mazza R, Pastorino GMG. Migraine and epilepsy: Social cognition skills in pediatric population. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2022; 37:68-74. [PMID: 35134658 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The goal of the present study was to comparatively analyze Social Cognition skills in a pediatric population diagnosed with Migraine or Epilepsy, compared to Typically Developing children (TD). The secondary aim was to relate Social Cognition skills with other migraine- or epilepsy-related variables and with executive and cognitive functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our cross-sectional observational study 119 children and adolescents (aged 6-16) with Migraine or Focal Epilepsy and 61 TD peers were recruited. Both the clinical groups and TD peers performed a neuropsychological evaluation through standardized test to assess Theory of Mind (TM), Emotion Recognition through facial expression (ER), executive function and non-verbal cognitive abilities. RESULTS Children and adolescents with Migraine or Focal Epilepsy showed comparable scores between each other, however their scores were significantly lower than their TD peers, in both ER and TM. Social Cognition skills were significantly related to executive functions. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that some chronic neurological conditions in childhood, such as Migraine and Epilepsy, may be associated with difficulties in Social Cognition skills, and that these difficulties may be related to a deficit in executive functions. The relationship between these two higher cognitive abilities should be further explored in future studies. Our results also suggest the importance of monitoring cognitive abilities in pediatric patients with Migraine or Epilepsy, in order to detect early impairment and ensure the necessary support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Chiara Scuoppo
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Padovano
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Vivenzio
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gilda Belfiore
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valeria de Simone
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pistola
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Rosetta Rinaldi
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Diaspro
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberta Mazza
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Liu C, Qiao XZ, Wei ZH, Cao M, Wu ZY, Deng YC. Molecular typing of familial temporal lobe epilepsy. World J Psychiatry 2022; 12:98-107. [PMID: 35111581 PMCID: PMC8783165 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i1.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) was originally considered to be acquired. However, some reports showed that TLE was clustered in some families, indicating a genetic etiology. With the popularity of genetic testing technology, eleven different types of familial TLE (FTLE), including ETL1-ETL11, have been reported, of which ETL9-ETL11 had not yet been included in the OMIM database. These types of FTLE were caused by different genes/Loci and had distinct characteristics. ETL1, ETL7 and ETL10 were characterized by auditory, visual and aphasia seizures, leading to the diagnosis of familial lateral TLE. ETL2, ETL3 and ETL6 showed prominent autonomic symptom and automatism with or without hippocampal abnormalities, indicating a mesial temporal origin. Febrile seizures were common in FTLEs such as ETL2, ETL5, ETL6 and ETL11. ETL4 was diagnosed as occipitotemporal lobe epilepsy with a high incidence of migraine and visual aura. Considering the diversity and complexity of the symptoms of TLE, neurologists enquiring about the family history of epilepsy should ask whether the relatives of the proband had experienced unnoticeable seizures and whether there is a family history of other neurological diseases carefully. Most FTLE patients had a good prognosis with or without anti-seizure medication treatment, with the exception of patients with heterozygous mutations of the CPA6 gene. The pathogenic mechanism was diverse among these genes and spans disturbances of neuron development, differentiation and synaptic signaling. In this article, we describe the research progress on eleven different types of FTLE. The precise molecular typing of FTLE would facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of FTLE and genetic counseling for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-Zhi Qiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zi-Han Wei
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Mi Cao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, School of Basic Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yan-Chun Deng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
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Qi L, Zhao J, Zhao P, Zhang H, Zhong J, Pan P, Wang G, Yi Z, Xie L. Theory of mind and facial emotion recognition in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy: A meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:976439. [PMID: 36276336 PMCID: PMC9582667 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.976439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting studies have investigated impairments in social cognitive domains (including theory of mind [ToM] and facial emotion recognition [FER] in adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, to date, inconsistent findings remain. METHODS A search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases was conducted until December 2021. Hedges g effect sizes were computed with a random-effects model. Meta-regressions were used to assess the potential confounding factors of between-study variability in effect sizes. RESULTS The meta-analysis included 41 studies, with a combined sample of 1,749 adult patients with TLE and 1,324 healthy controls (HCs). Relative to HCs, adult patients with TLE showed large impairments in ToM (g = -0.92) and cognitive ToM (g = -0.92), followed by medium impairments in affective ToM (g = -0.79) and FER (g = -0.77). Besides, no (statistically) significant differences were observed between the magnitude of social cognition impairment in adult with TLE who underwent and those who did not undergo epilepsy surgery. Meta-regressions exhibited that greater severity of executive functioning was associated with more severe ToM defects, and older age was associated with more severe FER defects. CONCLUSIONS Results of this meta-analysis suggest that adult patients with TLE show differential impairments in the core aspects of social cognitive domains (including ToM and FER), which may help in planning individualized treatment with appropriate cognitive and behavioral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huaian, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - PanWen Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - JianGuo Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - PingLei Pan
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China.,Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - GenDi Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - ZhongQuan Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - LiLi Xie
- Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
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Sun Y, Zhao J, Zhao P, Zhang H, Zhong J, Pan P, Wang G, Yi Z, Xie L. Social cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy: A meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:983565. [PMID: 36186867 PMCID: PMC9520261 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.983565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have investigated impairments in two key domains of social cognition (theory of mind [ToM] and facial emotion recognition [FER]) in children and adolescents with epilepsy. However, inconsistent conclusions were found. Our objective was to characterize social cognition performance of children and adolescents with epilepsy. A literature search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases. The article retrieval, screening, quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale), and data extraction were performed independently by two investigators. A random-effects model was used to examine estimates. The meta-analysis included 19 studies, with a combined sample of 623 children and adolescents with epilepsy (mean [SD] age, 12.13 [2.62] years; 46.1% female) and 677 healthy controls [HCs]) (mean [SD] age, 11.48 [2.71] years; 50.7% female). The results revealed that relative to HCs, children and adolescents with epilepsy exhibited deficits in ToM (g = -1.08, 95% CI [-1.38, -0.78], p < 0.001, the number of studies [k] = 13), FER (g = -0.98, 95% CI [-1.33, -0.64], p < 0.001, k = 12), and ToM subcomponents (cognitive ToM: g = -1.04, 95% CI [-1.35, -0.72], p < 0.001, k = 12] and affective ToM: g = -0.73, 95% CI [-1.12, -0.34], p < 0.001, k = 8). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in social cognition deficits between children and adolescents with focal epilepsy and generalized epilepsy. Meta-regressions confirmed the robustness of the results. These quantitative results further deepen our understanding of the two core domains of social cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy and may assist in the development of cognitive interventions for this patient population. Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-3-0011/, identifier INPLASY202230011.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - PanWen Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - JianGuo Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - PingLei Pan
- Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - GenDi Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - ZhongQuan Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - LiLi Xie
- Department of Neurology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
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12
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Metternich B, Wagner K, Geiger MJ, Schulze-Bonhage A, Hirsch M, Schönenberg M. Affective Empathy, Theory of Mind and Social Functioning in Patients With Focal Epilepsy. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:887411. [PMID: 35898635 PMCID: PMC9309689 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.887411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social cognition comprises basic and more complex functions, such as theory of mind (ToM) and affective empathy. Although everyday social interactions may be impaired if such higher-order social cognitive functions are compromised, associations between social functioning and social cognition in people with focal epilepsy (PWFE) are still poorly understood. We used a novel, naturalistic approach to investigate ToM in PWFE by applying the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC). Furthermore, we studied affective empathy, the relationship between social cognitive parameters and measures of social functioning, as well as between epilepsy focus and ToM. METHODS Thirty patients with either temporal (TLE) or frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) were compared to 29 healthy control subjects (HC). In addition to the MASC, we applied questionnaire measures assessing empathy and everyday social functioning. RESULTS PWFE, especially with FLE, performed significantly worse than HC on the MASC. Perceived social integration and social activities, but not affective empathy, were reduced in PWFE. Regression analyses revealed associations between perceived social integration, clinical group status, affective empathy and ToM. CONCLUSION PWFE displayed ToM deficits during a naturalistic task, whereas affective empathy was unimpaired. FLE may be associated with especially compromised ToM performance. Social cognition and social functioning appear to be interrelated in PWFE, whose self-perceived levels of social integration and social activities are lower than those of HC. More research into the association between social cognition and social functioning in PWFE is needed, in order to develop tailored intervention programs for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitta Metternich
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Wagner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian J Geiger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schulze-Bonhage
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hirsch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schönenberg
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Oyegbile-Chidi T, Harvey D, Eisner J, Dunn D, Jones J, Byars A, Hermann B, Austin J. The Relationship Between Sleep, Cognition and Behavior in Children With Newly-Diagnosed Epilepsy Over 36 Months. Front Neurol 2022; 13:903137. [PMID: 35959398 PMCID: PMC9360804 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.903137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is substantial evidence that children with epilepsy experience more sleep, behavior and cognitive challenges than children without epilepsy. However, the literature is limited in describing the relationship between sleep, epilepsy, cognition and behavioral challenges and the interactions amongst these factors over time. This study aims to understand the nature and strength of the relationship between sleep, cognition, mood and behavior in children with new-onset epilepsy as assessed by multiple informants at multiple time periods using multiple different dependent measures. Methods 332 participants (6-16years) were recruited within 6 weeks of their first recognized seizure. The comparison group was comprised of 266 healthy siblings. Participants underwent sleep evaluation by a parent using the Sleep Behavioral Questionnaire (SBQ), cognitive evaluation using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, a behavioral evaluation using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL from parents and TRF from teachers) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). These evaluations were completed at baseline (B), at 18 months, and at 36 months. Results Compared to siblings, children with new-onset epilepsy had more sleep disturbance (SBQ), higher rates of behavioral problems (CBCL and TRF), lower cognitive testing scores, and higher rates of depression; which persisted over the 36-month study. Sleep significantly correlated with behavioral problems, cognitive scores and depression. When divided into categories based of sleep disturbance scores, 39.7% of children with epilepsy experienced "Persistently Abnormal Sleep", while 14.8% experienced "Persistently Normal Sleep". Children with persistently abnormal sleep experienced the highest rates of behavioral problems, depression and cognitive impairment compared to those with persistently normal sleep, regardless of epilepsy syndrome. Younger age of seizure onset, younger age at testing, and lower grade level at baseline were associated with persistently abnormal sleep. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the nature, strength, reliability, stability and persistence of the relationship between sleep, cognition, and behavioral problems over time in a large cohort of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy, as assessed by multiple informants at different timepoints. The results of this study indicate that children with epilepsy are at a high risk of significant persisting neurobehavioral multimorbidity. Therefore, early screening for these challenges may be essential for optimizing quality of life long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Danielle Harvey
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Jordan Eisner
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - David Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jana Jones
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Anna Byars
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital at the University of Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Bruce Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Joan Austin
- School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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14
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Wang H, Zhao P, Zhao J, Zhong J, Pan P, Wang G, Yi Z. Theory of Mind and Empathy in Adults With Epilepsy: A Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:877957. [PMID: 35573343 PMCID: PMC9093035 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.877957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that social cognitive abilities [including theory of mind (ToM) and empathy] are impaired in adult patients with epilepsy. Although the deficits in overall ToM in epilepsy have been documented well, the effects of epilepsy on empathic ability and specific subcomponents of ToM remain unclear. The primary aim of this study was to provide the first meta-analytic integration of ToM and empathy in adult patients with epilepsy, and to decompose these constructs to clearly differentiate their distinct (cognitive ToM and affective empathy) and overlapping (affective ToM/cognitive empathy) components. This meta-analysis included 28 studies. Adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) showed impairments in cognitive ToM and affective ToM/cognitive empathy compared to the healthy controls (HCs); no group differences were identified for affective empathy. Besides, cognitive ToM was impaired in adult patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and focal seizures (caused by epileptogenic foci) outside the temporal and frontal lobes (extra-TLE/FLE) and no group differences were evident for affective ToM/cognitive empathy compared to the HCs. Moreover, relative to the HCs, no group differences were identified for affective empathy in adult patients with IGE. Additionally, no (statistically) significant difference was observed between the magnitude of ToM/empathy impairment in adult patients who underwent and those who did not undergo epilepsy surgery. These quantitative findings suggest differential impairment of the core aspects of social cognitive processing in adult patients with epilepsy, which may contribute to the development of structured cognitive interventions (i.e., social cognitive training) for adult patients with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- HongZhou Wang
- Department of Neurology, Anting Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - PanWen Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - JianGuo Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - PingLei Pan
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China.,Department of Neurology, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - GenDi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - ZhongQuan Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
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15
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Operto FF, Pastorino GMG, Pippa F, Padovano C, Vivenzio V, Scuoppo C, Pistola I, Coppola G. Psychiatric Symptoms and Parental Stress in Children and Adolescents With Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:778410. [PMID: 34956058 PMCID: PMC8694379 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.778410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the presence of emotional and behavioral symptoms in children and adolescents with epilepsy, to measure the stress levels in their parents, and to determine if and how parental stress was linked to emotional and behavioral symptoms of their children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study including 103 children and adolescents with different form of epilepsy and 93 sex-/age-matched controls. Parental stress and emotional and behavioral symptoms were assessed through two standardized questionnaires: the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), respectively. We also considered the following variables: age, sex, maternal education level, family history of psychiatric disorders, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, seizure type, and number of antiseizure medications. Results: The statistical comparison showed that the epilepsy group obtained significantly higher scores than controls in almost all the CBCL and the PSI scales (p < 0.05). The correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the PSI Total Stress scale and the following CBCL scales: total problems, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems (p < 0.05). An earlier age of seizure onset was related to a greater presence of externalizing problems, total problems, and total stress (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the epilepsy group, we found higher levels of parental stress and higher presence of emotional and behavioral symptoms compared to controls, mainly represented by internalizing problems (anxiety and depression symptoms). Therefore, it is important to precociously detect these symptoms and monitor them over time, in order to prevent psychiatric problems. In addition, parents of children with epilepsy should be offered psychological support to cope with parental stress and to improve the relationship with their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Federica Pippa
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Padovano
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Vivenzio
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Scuoppo
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pistola
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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16
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Operto FF, Vivenzio V, Scuoppo C, Padovano C, Roccella M, Quatrosi G, Pastorino GMG. Perampanel and Visuospatial Skills in Children With Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:696946. [PMID: 34305800 PMCID: PMC8296464 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.696946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Perampanel (PER) is a non-competitive AMPA glutamate receptor antagonist approved for focal and generalized seizures as add-on therapy. PER does not seem to negatively affect the cognitive profile in children and adolescents, but its influence on visuospatial abilities is still to be assessed. The aim of our study was to assess visuospatial skills through a standardized neuropsychological evaluation in adolescents taking PER for 12 months. Methods: Our sample included 46 adolescents aged 12–18 years with focal and generalized drug-resistant epilepsy already in therapy with one or two antiseizure medications. Changes in visuospatial perception and memory were assessed by the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test at baseline (before taking PER) and after 12 months of pharmacological treatment. Executive functions and non-verbal intelligence were also assessed at baseline. Results: After 12 months of PER therapy, the mean scores on the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test remained almost unchanged for both visuospatial perception and visuospatial memory skills. At baseline, visuospatial memory was related to executive function, and visuospatial perception was related to executive function and non-verbal intelligence. Conclusions: Adjunctive treatment with PER did not negatively affect visuospatial skills. No adverse event effects have been reported after 12 months of follow-up, and this suggests a good tolerability in the middle-to-long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Vivenzio
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Scuoppo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Padovano
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Michele Roccella
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Quatrosi
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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Operto FF, Pastorino GMG, Di Bonaventura C, Scuoppo C, Padovano C, Vivenzio V, Donadio S, Coppola G. Effects of antiseizure monotherapy on visuospatial memory in pediatric age. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2021; 32:106-114. [PMID: 33895643 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Visuospatial abilities are fundamental for good school achievements and good daily functioning. Previous studies showed an impairment of visuospatial skills in pediatric patients with epilepsy; pharmacological treatment, although indispensable for the seizure control, could further affect cognitive functions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the visuospatial skills in children and adolescents with different forms of epilepsy well-controlled by antiseizure monotherapy, both at baseline and after one year follow-up, through a standardized neuropsychological assessment. METHODS We recruited 207 children and adolescents (mean age = 10.35 ± 2.39 years) with epilepsy, well controlled by monotherapy with levetiracetam, valproic acid, ethosuximide, oxcarbazepine or carbamazepine and 45 age/sex-matched controls. All the participants performed the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, a standardized test for visuospatial perception and visuospatial memory assessment, at baseline and after 12 month of drug therapy. Age, sex, executive functions, non-verbal intelligence, age at onset of epilepsy, epilepsy duration, epilepsy type, lobe and side of seizure onset were considered in our analysis. EEG, seizure frequency, and drug dose were also recorded. RESULTS At baseline, the epilepsy group performed significantly worse than controls in the Immediate Recall test but not the Direct Copy test, without differences between epilepsy subgroups. Immediate Recall scores were related to age of seizure onset and epilepsy duration and executive functions. The re-assessment after 1 year showed that the Immediate Recall mean scores were not significantly changed in the levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine group, while they significantly worsened in the valproic acid, ethosuximide and carbamazepine groups. The Immediate Recall scores were correlated to age, age at onset of epilepsy, epilepsy duration, and executive functions. CONCLUSIONS Children with epilepsy may exhibit visuospatial memory impairment compared to their peer, that may be correlated to some features of the epilepsy itself and to the impairment of executive functions. Different antiseizure medications can affect visuospatial memory differently, so it is important monitoring this aspect in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Scuoppo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Padovano
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Vivenzio
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Serena Donadio
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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Pastorino GMG, Operto FF, Padovano C, Vivenzio V, Scuoppo C, Pastorino N, Roccella M, Vetri L, Carotenuto M, Coppola G. Social Cognition in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:658823. [PMID: 33935956 PMCID: PMC8079621 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.658823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of our study was to perform a comparative analysis of social cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specific learning disorder (SLD) and in typical development (TD) controls. The secondary aim was to relate social cognition to some clinical and demographic characteristics. Methods: Our work is a transversal observational study. The recruits were 179 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years diagnosed with epilepsy, ASD, or SLD and 32 subjects with TD. All the participants underwent neuropsychological assessment of Emotion Recognition (ER) and Theory of Mind (ToM) skills. Results: All three clinical groups performed significantly worse than controls in ER and ToM. The ASD group achieved significantly lower performance than the other groups; however, the scores of SLD and epilepsy groups were comparable. The ER performances are related to non-verbal intelligence only in the group with epilepsy. Conclusion: Children and adolescents with focal epilepsy, SLD, or ASD may present a deficit of varying extent in emotion recognition and ToM, compared with TD peers. These difficulties are more pronounced in individuals with ASD, but impairment worthy of clinical attention also emerges in individuals with SLD and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Padovano
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Vivenzio
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Scuoppo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Nazareno Pastorino
- Department of Cultural Heritage Sciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Michele Roccella
- Department of Psychological, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Vetri
- Department of Psychological, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Carotenuto
- Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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Operto FF, Pastorino GMG, Stellato M, Morcaldi L, Vetri L, Carotenuto M, Viggiano A, Coppola G. Facial Emotion Recognition in Children and Adolescents with Specific Learning Disorder. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E473. [PMID: 32717966 PMCID: PMC7466138 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10080473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some recent studies suggest that children and adolescents with different neurodevelopmental disorders perform worse in emotions recognition through facial expressions (ER) compared with typically developing peers. This impairment is also described in children with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), compromising their scholastic achievement, social functioning, and quality of life. The purpose of our study is to evaluate ER skills in children and adolescents with SLD compared to a control group without learning disorders, and correlate them with intelligence and executive functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our work is a cross-sectional observational study. Sixty-three children and adolescents aged between 8 and 16 years, diagnosed with SLD, and 32 sex/age-matched controls without learning disorders were recruited. All participants were administered standardized neuropsychological tests, evaluating facial emotion recognition (NEPSY-II), executive functions (EpiTrack Junior), and intelligence profile (WISC-IV). RESULTS Emotion recognition mean score was significantly lower in the SLD group than in the controls group on the Mann-Whitney U test for unpaired samples (p < 0.001). The SLD group performed significantly lower than the control group in their abilities to identify neutral expressions, happiness, sadness, anger, and fear compared to controls (p < 0.001). ER scores were positively correlated to the executive functions scores. There was no correlation with the Total Intelligence Quotient scores but there is a significant positive correlation with Working Memory Index and Processing Speed Index measured by WISC.IV. CONCLUSION Our study showed that children and adolescents with Specific Learning Disorders have facial emotion recognition impairment when compared with a group of peers without learning disorders. ER abilities were independent of their global intelligence but potentially related to executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84125 Salerno, Italy; (G.M.G.P.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84125 Salerno, Italy; (G.M.G.P.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Maria Stellato
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84125 Salerno, Italy; (G.M.G.P.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Lucia Morcaldi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Child and Adolescent Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Catania, 95131 Catania, Italy; luciaa-@hotmail.it
| | - Luigi Vetri
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Marco Carotenuto
- Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Andrea Viggiano
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84125 Salerno, Italy; (G.M.G.P.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84125 Salerno, Italy; (G.M.G.P.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
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