[P300 event-related potential in epileptic children and adolescents].

P300 is a manifestation of activity in a limited capacity system "whose use in the service of different tasks is under relative control by instruction". It is accepted as an objective correlate of mental processing involved in the allocation of attentional resources when immediate memory is engaged. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive function in epileptic children and adolescents. We applied the "auditory oddball" paradigm to elicit event-related potentials (ERPs) according to the IFCN recommendation standards. ERPs were studied in fifteen patients with generalized epileptic seizures at matched age (8-18 years) (mean 13.8 +/- 2.4 y). 50 neurologically normal children were used as a control group. ERP were averaged with a Multiliner (Toennies, Germany) equipment. The method included two different tones for frequent and for rare stimuli generated at random. The tones were presented binaurally through headphones. ERPs were recorded at Fz, Cz and Pz according to the International 10-20 system. ERPs for target and non-target stimuli were averaged separately. The major positive peak between 250 and 500 ms for the rare tones was regarded as the cognitive evoked potential (P300). Latency values were obtained from the intersection of extrapolated lines from the ascending and descending slopes of each peak. The latencies of the N1, P2, N2 and P300 waves were determined for each subject, as well as peak to peak amplitudes of N1-P2, P2-N2, N2-P300. Auditory event related potential may be helpful procedures used in objective evaluation of cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.