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Abstract
Cognitive complaints are very common in people diagnosed with epilepsy. These difficulties are often another manifestation of the same pathology responsible for seizures. They can be further exacerbated by treatments aimed at seizure control. Other common comorbidities of epilepsy such as low mood and elevated anxiety can also contribute to cognitive complaints. There is surprisingly little overlap between memory complaints and performance on formal memory tests in this population. This article examines the multifactorial and heterogeneous nature of cognitive difficulties in epilepsy and makes the case for the provision of basic psychoeducation as the foundation for all interventions aimed at ameliorating these difficulties in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sallie Baxendale
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College Hospital, London, UK
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Dharan AL, Bowden SC, Peterson A, Lai A, Seneviratne U, Dabscheck G, Nurse E, Loughman A, Parsons N, D'Souza WJ. A cross-sectional investigation of cognition and epileptiform discharges in juvenile absence epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:742-753. [PMID: 36625418 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the prevalence of cognitive symptoms in the idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs), cognitive dysfunction in juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE), a common yet understudied IGE subtype, remains poorly understood. This descriptive study provides a novel, comprehensive characterization of cognitive functioning in a JAE sample and examines the relationship between cognition and 24-h epileptiform discharge load. METHOD Forty-four individuals diagnosed with JAE underwent cognitive assessment using Woodcock Johnson III Test of Cognitive Abilities with concurrent 24-h ambulatory EEG monitoring. Generalized epileptiform discharges of any length, and prolonged generalized discharges ≥3 s were quantified across wakefulness and sleep. The relationship between standardized cognitive scores and epileptiform discharges was assessed through regression models. RESULTS Cognitive performances in overall intellectual ability, acquired comprehension-knowledge, processing speed, long-term memory storage and retrieval, and executive processes were 0.63-1.07 standard deviation (SD) units lower in the JAE group compared to the population reference mean, adjusted for educational attainment. Prolonged discharges (≥3 s) were recorded in 20 patients (47.6%) from 42 available electroencephalography (EEG) studies and were largely unreported. Duration and number of prolonged discharges were associated with reduced processing speed and long-term memory storage and retrieval. SIGNIFICANCE Cognitive dysfunction is seen in patients with JAE across various cognitive abilities, including those representing more stable processes like general intellect. During 24-h EEG, prolonged epileptiform discharges are common yet underreported in JAE despite treatment, and they show moderate effects on cognitive abilities. If epileptiform burden is a modifiable predictor of cognitive dysfunction, therapeutic interventions should consider quantitative 24-h EEG with routine neuropsychological screening. The growing recognition of the spectrum of neuropsychological comorbidities of IGE highlights the value of multidisciplinary approaches to explore the causes and consequences of cognitive deficits in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita L Dharan
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen C Bowden
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andre Peterson
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alan Lai
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Udaya Seneviratne
- Department of Neuroscience, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gabriel Dabscheck
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neurosciences, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ewan Nurse
- Seer Medical Inc Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amy Loughman
- Food & Mood Centre, Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas Parsons
- Deakin University, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wendyl J D'Souza
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
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Founding the Epilepsy & Behavior community: A 22-year journey. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 137:108776. [PMID: 36463062 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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Bugarski Ignjatović V, Pavić S, Gebauer Bukurov K, Nikolašević Ž, Krstić T, Stojadinović A. Behavioral aspects of executive functions in young adults with well-controlled epilepsy. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2021; 26:1258-1265. [PMID: 32816533 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2020.1810719] [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] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Executive function (EF) skills involve higher-level cognitive functions, such as planning, goal formation, goal-directed behavior, and effective performance. Previous research has shown that these aspects of EF are essential for successful functioning in everyday life. This study aimed to examine differences in the behavioral aspects of EF between young adults with epilepsy and healthy controls. The study involved 62 young adults, aged 18 to 30 years, divided into two groups: a study group of young adults with well-controlled epilepsy and a control group of healthy young adults. The groups were matched according to basic sociodemographic characteristics. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult version was used to assess the behavioral aspects of executive functions. A significant difference between groups was only observed on the Organization of Materials scale, where the group with epilepsy achieved better performance. Our findings suggest that self-assessed behavioral control of EF is almost the same in healthy young adults and young adults with epilepsy who have no comorbidities and have good control of the disease as well as preserved intellectual ability and functionality in everyday activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Pavić
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Željka Nikolašević
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Krstić
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
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Montaño-Lozada JM, López N, Espejo-Zapata LM, Soto-Añari M, Ramos-Henderson M, Caldichoury-Obando N, Camargo L. Cognitive changes in patients with epilepsy identified through the MoCA test during neurology outpatient consultation. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 122:108158. [PMID: 34182417 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108158] [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: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that may occur alongside cognitive changes, with effects on multiple cognitive domains. OBJECTIVE To compare the cognitive performance of patients with epilepsy and healthy controls through Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) during outpatient consultation at a reference diagnostic center in Colombia and analyze and the influencing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY One-hundred and four patients during neurology outpatient consultation in the city of Cartagena, Colombia, were assessed with the (MoCA) test, i.e., 54 people who consulted for headache and have not been diagnosed with epilepsy (NEP) and 50 with a diagnosis of epilepsy (EPs) according to the diagnostic criteria of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). RESULTS Significant differences were found in the total mean scores of the (MoCA) between (EPs) and (NPE) groups (t = 4.72; p < 0.01), particularly in attention (t = 3.22; p < 0.02) and memory (t = 5.04; p < 0.01) dimensions. Additionally, a significant association was observed between years of schooling and (MoCA) scores (p = 0,019) but not between socioeconomic level (p = 0,510), age (p = 0,452) and the frequency of seizures (p = 0,471). DISCUSSION Patients with epilepsy show lower scores in several cognitive domains in respect of the control group. The (MoCA) has proven its appropriateness for cognitive screening in the contexts of clinical neurology outpatient consultation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Montaño-Lozada
- Medico, Residente IV año de Neurología Clínica, Universidad del Sinú EBZ. Cartagena, Colombia
| | | | - L M Espejo-Zapata
- Medico, Especialista en Salud Mental del niño y Adolescente. Universidad CES. Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Miguel Ramos-Henderson
- Escuela de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Comunicación, Universidad Santo Tomás, Antofagasta, Chile
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The cognitive costs, contraindications and complications of epilepsy surgery in adults. Curr Opin Neurol 2021; 33:207-212. [PMID: 32073438 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Access to epilepsy surgery is rapidly growing throughout the world. While it is an established and effective treatment for seizures, epilepsy surgery has the potential to exacerbate cognitive comorbidities of the condition. RECENT FINDINGS Not all surgical patients experience a postoperative decline in cognitive function. Postoperative cognitive function depends upon the functional integrity of the tissue to be removed and the functional reserve of the structures that remain in situ. While developments in surgical technique can reduce the cognitive morbidity of epilepsy surgery, the same procedure may result in different cognitive outcomes for different candidates, depending on their preoperative characteristics and postoperative trajectories. Multivariate models can be used to identify those most at risk of cognitive decline. There remains a significant lack of research into clinical interventions aimed at reducing the impact of surgically induced cognitive deficits on the lives of the patients who experience them. SUMMARY Accurate identification of the cognitive risks associated with surgery, based on an individual's personal risk profile rather than the generic risks associated with the procedure, is now recognized as a mandatory part of the preoperative evaluation and is one of the pillars of informed consent for the procedure.
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Wilson SJ. Rethinking neurobehavioral comorbidity in Panayiotopoulos syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol 2020; 62:893. [PMID: 31909486 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Wilson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
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Chen F, He X, Luan G, Li T. Role of DNA Methylation and Adenosine in Ketogenic Diet for Pharmacoresistant Epilepsy: Focus on Epileptogenesis and Associated Comorbidities. Front Neurol 2019; 10:119. [PMID: 30863356 PMCID: PMC6399128 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by a long term propensity to produce unprovoked seizures and by the associated comorbidities including neurological, cognitive, psychiatric, and impairment the quality of life. Despite the clinic availability of several novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with different mechanisms of action, more than one-third of patients with epilepsy suffer with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Until now, no AEDs have been proven to confer the efficacy in alteration of disease progression or inhibition of the development of epilepsy. The ketogenic diet, the high-fat, low-carbohydrate composition is an alternative metabolic therapy for epilepsy, especially for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Recently clinical and experimental results demonstrate its efficacy in ameliorating both seizures and comorbidities associated with epilepsy, such as cognitive/psychiatric concerns for the patients with refractory epilepsy. Of importance, ketogenic diet demonstrates to be a promising disease-modifying or partial antiepileptogenesis therapy for epilepsy. The mechanisms of action of ketogenic diet in epilepsy have been revealed recently, such as epigenetic mechanism for increase the adenosine level in the brain and inhibition of DNA methylation. In the present review, we will focus on the mechanisms of ketogenic diet therapies underlying adenosine system in the prevention of epileptogenesis and disease modification. In addition, we will review the role of ketogenic diet therapy in comorbidities associated epilepsy and the underlying mechanisms of adenosine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinghui He
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoming Luan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianfu Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Abstract
The role of the neuropsychological assessment in the management of people with epilepsy has evolved considerably over the past 25 years. This paper describes some of the most common applications of a neuropsychological assessment in the diagnosis, management and treatment of people with epilepsy. It describes the factors that influence the interpretation of neuropsychological test scores in this patient group and outlines the limitations of the investigation. It gives guidelines for the optimal timing of a referral, together with timelines and indications for reassessment, and provides a checklist to help the referring clinician get the most from a neuropsychological assessment for their patients with epilepsy.
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