Common and distinctive patterns of cognitive dysfunction in children with benign epilepsy syndromes

Publication date: Available online 4 January 2017
Source:Pediatric Neurology
Author(s): Dazhi Cheng, Xiuxian Yan, Zhijie Gao, Keming Xu, Xinlin Zhou, Qian Chen
BACKGROUNDChildhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTs) are the most common forms of benign epilepsy syndromes. Although cognitive dysfunctions occur in children with CAE or BECTs, the similarity between their patterns of underlying cognitive impairments is not well understood. To describe these patterns, we examined multiple cognitive functions in children with CAE and BECTs.METHODSIn this study, 43 children with CAE, 47 children with BECTs, and 64 controls were recruited; all received a standardized assessment (i.e., computerized test battery) assessing processing speed, spatial skills, calculation, language ability, intelligence, visual attention and executive function. Groups were compared in these cognitive domains. Simple regression analysis was used to analyze the effects of epilepsy-related clinical variables on cognitive test scores.RESULTSCompared to controls, children with CAE and BECTs showed cognitive deficits in intelligence and executive function, but performed normally in language processing. Impairment in visual attention was specific to patients with CAE, whereas impaired spatial ability was specific to the children with BECTs. Simple regression analysis showed syndrome-related clinical variables did not affect cognitive functions.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides evidence of both common and distinctive cognitive features underlying the relative cognitive difficulties in children with CAE and BECTs. It is suggested that clinicians should pay particular attention to the specific cognitive deficits in children with CAE and BECTs, to allow for more discriminative and potentially more effective interventions.



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