Intelligence test performance of patients with partial and generalized seizures.

The intellectual performance of 350 patients with seizures was examined. Seizures were classified according to the revised International Classification of Epileptic Seizures as partial (simple or complex), generalized, or partial secondarily generalized. Performance on the Wechsler Intelligence subtests served to measure intellectual ability. Patients with partial seizures performed better on Digit Span, Digit Symbol, Block Design, and Object Assembly than those with either generalized or partial secondarily generalized seizures. These subtests are functionally associated with abilities such as attention, visuospatial problem-solving, and sequencing ability.