[Neuropsychological evaluation in children with epilepsy: attention and executive functions in temporal lobe epilepsy].

INTRODUCTION

Attention and executive functions correspond to important areas of cognitive functioning associated with the frontal cortex. The study of attention and executive functions in children with epilepsy has focused on characterizing the group with frontal lobe epilepsy. Still, recent studies have identified deficits in these areas also in children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

AIM

To investigate attention and executive functions in a group of children with TLE, also considering the influence of clinical variables (age at onset of epilepsy and evolution of seizures).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Attention and executive functions were studied in a group of 24 children with TLE, aged 7-15 years and compared with 24 control children of the same age and socio-cultural level. Subjects were assigned the following tasks: Cancellation Task, Trail Making Test, Tower of London and Phonemic Verbal Fluency.

RESULTS

The group with TLE performed significantly lower on selective, sustained and divided attention and on phonemic verbal fluency. In markers concerning commissions and omissions there were no differences between groups in any of the performed tests. A significant slowing of processing speed was reported. In addition, patients with earlier age at onset of epilepsy had more difficulties in sustained attention and planning abilities.

CONCLUSION

These results sustain the need for evaluating and monitoring the area of attention, executive functions and processing speed in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy, above all those with earlier age at onset of epilepsy.