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Lorkiewicz SA, Modiano YA, Miller BI, Van Cott AC, Haneef Z, Sullivan-Baca E. The neuropsychological presentation of women with epilepsy: clinical considerations and future directions. Clin Neuropsychol 2023:1-27. [PMID: 37993977 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2023.2283937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Cognitive, mood, and behavioral changes are common among persons with epilepsy (PWE), resulting in a complex neuropsychological presentation. Women with epilepsy (WWE) represent a distinct cohort within the broader epilepsy population due to sex and gender-specific factors impacting epilepsy semiology and treatment. However, unique neuropsychological profiles among WWE have not been established. This narrative review aims to further define neuropsychological correlates in WWE and promote meaningful discussion related to enhancing the provision of neuropsychological care within this clinical population. Method: Current literature in PWE examining differences in cognitive function, mental health, and quality of life (QoL) between women and men was critically reviewed, emphasizing considerations for neuropsychological practice. Results: WWE demonstrate a preservation of verbal learning and memory compared to men both pre- and post-surgically, with sex-based, neurobiological mechanisms likely contributing to this association. WWE also have elevated risk for affective disorder psychopathology, suicidality, and traumatic experiences. Epidemiology related to psychotic and bipolar spectrum disorders is less clear, and findings are mixed regarding sex-specific behavioral side effects of antiseizure and psychotropic medication. Finally, hormonal and obstetric factors are highlighted as important contributors to neuropsychological symptoms in WWE, with elevated risk for low QoL and increased stigma associated with greater medical and psychiatric comorbidities compared to men. Conclusions: While emerging literature has begun to characterize the neuropsychological presentation of WWE, future research is needed to define sex and gender differences in neuropsychological sequalae among PWE to ensure consistency and quality of care for WWE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yosefa A Modiano
- Neurosciences, McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brian I Miller
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anne C Van Cott
- Neurology Division, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zulfi Haneef
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, Veteran's Health Administration, USA
| | - Erin Sullivan-Baca
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Van Patten R, Chan L, Tocco K, Mordecai K, Altalib H, Twamley EW, Gaston TE, Grayson LP, Martin A, Fry S, Goodman A, Allendorfer JB, Correia S, Szaflarski J, LaFrance WC. Improvements in Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores after neurobehavioral therapy in adults with functional (nonepileptic) seizures and traumatic brain injury. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 165:282-289. [PMID: 37549503 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive functioning impacts clinical symptoms, treatment response, and quality of life in adults with functional/nonepileptic seizures (FS/NES), but no study to date examines effects of behavioral FS/NES treatment on cognition in these patients. We hypothesized that there would be a reduction in cognitive symptoms in participants with FS/NES and traumatic brain injury (TBI) following neurobehavioral therapy (NBT). We also hypothesized that select seizure-related, medication, subjective cognitive, and mental health symptoms would be negatively correlated with improvements in cognitive performance after NBT. Participants were 37 adults with TBI + FS/NES and 35 adults with TBI only, recruited from medical centers in the northeastern or southeastern U.S. TBI + FS/NES participants completed a 12 session NBT intervention, and TBI without seizures participants were not treated. All participants completed pre-post assessments of cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]) and baseline sociodemographic factors and mental health symptoms. Pre-post MoCA scores increased significantly in TBI + FS/NES participants (28/37 [75.7%] improved) but not in TBI comparisons (10/35 [28.6%] improved). Language, memory, and visuospatial/executive functions, but not attention, improved over time in the TBI + FS/NES group. Gains in cognition were concentrated in those TBI + FS/NES participants with likely baseline cognitive impairments (MoCA total score <26), and 9/17 of these participants moved from the "impaired" range at baseline (<26) to the "intact" range at endpoint (≥26). Lastly, participants taking fewer medications and reporting lower subjective cognitive difficulties at baseline showed larger pre-post MoCA total score improvements. Overall, results from this study suggest the potential for positive change in cognition in FS/NES and co-occurring TBI using evidence-based psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Van Patten
- VA Providence Healthcare System, Providence, RI, USA; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Lawrence Chan
- VA Providence Healthcare System, Providence, RI, USA; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Krista Tocco
- VA Providence Healthcare System, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth W Twamley
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System and UC San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tyler E Gaston
- University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Amber Martin
- University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Samantha Fry
- University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adam Goodman
- University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | | | - W Curt LaFrance
- VA Providence Healthcare System, Providence, RI, USA; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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Executive Functioning and Social Skills in Children with Epileptic Seizures and Non-Epileptic Seizures. Epilepsy Res 2022; 188:107051. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.107051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Novak A, Vizjak K, Gacnik A, Rakusa M. Cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening tool. Acta Neurol Belg 2022; 123:451-456. [PMID: 35925540 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-022-02046-4] [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: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although cognitive impairment is common in people with epilepsy, it is often neglected in outpatient clinics. MoCA is a simple and reliable test, which was validated for the cognitive screening of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The aim of our study was to evaluate MoCA as a tool for a cognitive screening of people with epilepsy. METHODS Our study included 50 people with epilepsy and 46 healthy individuals. All participants took the Slovenian version of the MoCA. Mean age, education and MoCA scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There was no significant difference between people with epilepsy and the controls in age (47.6, SD 18.1 vs 50.9, SD 14.0 years) or education (12.8, SD 2.8 vs 13.4, SD 2.8 years). People with epilepsy had significantly lower total MoCA scores than did the controls (23.3, SD 4.5 vs 27.5, SD 1.9 points; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS People with epilepsy achieved a lower score in several cognitive domains compared to the control group. MoCA can be used as an appropriate screening tool for cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy in the outpatient clinic. For a more accurate evaluation, neuropsychological assessments should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Novak
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Karmen Vizjak
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Albin Gacnik
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Martin Rakusa
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
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Jones A, Esteban-Serna C, Proctor BJ, Yogarajah M, Agrawal N. An evaluation of initial engagement with a virtual group-based psychological treatment for functional seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 125:108384. [PMID: 34788729 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Functional seizures are a common neurological presentation but access to evidence-based treatments is sporadic and often delayed. Patient engagement is an essential prerequisite to any treatment benefits, but previous research has not investigated engagement with psychological group treatments. In this service evaluation, we compared patients who initially engaged and disengaged from an online CBT-based group treatment on demographic and clinical variables, and illness-related beliefs. A self-report survey was used to explore reasons for disengagement. Of 64 patients invited to the group treatment, 39 (60.1%) disengaged before the first session. Older age was associated with engagement with the functional seizures group. There were no other group differences between demographic, clinical, or belief-based variables. Patients who disengaged reported the timing and format as barriers to joining and had preferences for individual and in-person interventions. These findings have implications for the role of clinicians in providing regular tangible information about referral pathways, and motivating patients to engage with available treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbeygail Jones
- South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust Neuropsychiatry Service, 2nd Floor Grosvenor Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
| | - Celia Esteban-Serna
- South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust Neuropsychiatry Service, 2nd Floor Grosvenor Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
| | - Barnaby J Proctor
- South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust Neuropsychiatry Service, 2nd Floor Grosvenor Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom.
| | - Mahinda Yogarajah
- National Hospital for Neurology Neurosurgery, UCLH and The Epilepsy Society, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.
| | - Niruj Agrawal
- South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust Neuropsychiatry Service, 2nd Floor Grosvenor Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom; St George's University of London, SW19 0QT, United Kingdom.
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Asadi-Pooya AA, Brigo F, Tolchin B, Valente KD. Functional seizures are not less important than epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2021; 16:100495. [PMID: 34805820 PMCID: PMC8585631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2021.100495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
People with functional seizures often suffer from psychiatric comorbidities. People with FS report detrimental effects on social aspects of their lives. FS are associated with a considerable direct and indirect economic burden. FS have increased rates of mortality compared to healthy controls.
Functional seizures (FS) are frequently encountered in neurology clinics, often affect young adults, and have significant negative impacts on many aspects of a person’s life. In the current narrative review, we searched the literature regarding some of the consequences of FS (i.e., psychiatric comorbidities, social consequences, costs that are associated with the condition, cognitive impairment in patients with FS, the quality of life of the people with FS, and the increased risk of mortality that is associated with FS). Evidence shows that FS have significant negative consequences, comparable in their magnitude to those affecting patients with epilepsy. The clinical and scientific communities should take steps to address these consequences through clinical care and research that prioritizes, facilitates, and expedites evidence-based diagnosis and treatment for FS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Merano-Meran, Italy
| | - Benjamin Tolchin
- Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kette D Valente
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
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The Comparison Between Neuropsychological Features of Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures and Epileptic Seizures. ARCHIVES OF NEUROSCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.5812/ans.115479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Both epileptic seizures (ES) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are often associated with some degree of cognitive impairment. Video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring is the gold standard for diagnosing PNES. This diagnostic procedure is costly and available in specific tertiary centers. Neuropsychological assessment can provide clues for the differential diagnosis of PNES and ES and help clarify the nature and etiology of these two disorders. Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to compare the neuropsychological profiles of PNES and ES patients. Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 30 patients with ES and 31 patients with PNES were compared by neuropsychiatric tests, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale (WAIS), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive examination (ACE), and California Verbal Learning test (CVLT). Results: There was a female predominance in the PNES group (female-to-male ratio = 4.16/1, P = 0.003). In the PNES group, 77.4% of the patients had a psychiatric disorder versus 66.7% of the patients in the ES group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.34). The mean score of total intelligence was higher in the PNES group (84.77 ± 16.94), compared to the ES group (83.63 ± 10.04); however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.75). Based on the mean subscale scores, the digit symbol score (WAIS-IV subscale) and memory score (ACE subscale) were significantly higher in the PNES group compared to the ES group (P = 0.037 and 0.032, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed that neuropsychological assessments might not differentiate ES from non-epileptic seizures.
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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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Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: The effect of accurate diagnosis on cognition. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 117:107766. [PMID: 33588318 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Much remains to be elucidated about the cognitive profile of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and about how this changes over time and compares to that of patients with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to study the neuropsychological profile of patients with PNES and an age-matched group of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) during admission to a video electroencephalography monitoring unit (VEMU) and 1 year after discharge. METHODS Patients diagnosed with PNES or TLE at a VEMU were prospectively recruited. Neuropsychological, demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were collected at baseline and 1 year. To minimize multiple comparisons, scores from different cognitive tests were computed for attention and psychomotor speed, verbal memory, visual memory, language, and executive function. A global cognitive impairment index (GCII) was also created. Post hoc analyses were conducted to identify clinical variables that might mediate the differences observed in cognition over time between the groups. These included seizure frequency, number of antiseizure medication (ASM), number of psychotropic drugs, depression, and quality of life. RESULTS We studied 24 patients with PNES and 24 patients with TLE. The groups performed similarly in the baseline neuropsychological tests. There was a significant time (baseline to 1-year follow-up) by group (PNES vs TLE) interaction for the GCII (p = 0.006), language (p = 0.04), and executive function (p = 0.013), with PNES patients showing improvement and TLE patients remaining stable. The time by group interaction for attention and psychomotor speed showed a trend toward significance (p = 0.056), Reduction in number of ASM was associated with improved cognition in PNES patients at 1 year. CONCLUSION PNES patients showed improved cognition at 1 year of follow-up, particularly in language and executive functions. This finding shows the potential benefits of an early, accurate diagnosis, which range from improved cognition to better management.
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