Clinical and neuropsychological assessment of executive function in a sample of children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: To compare the executive functions of children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy with a control group and to correlate with clinical data, intelligence and academic performance. Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. Thirty-one cases and thirty-five controls were evaluated by the WCST (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test).The results were compared with clinical data (seizure type and frequency, disease duration and number of antiepileptic drugs used), IQ (WISC-III) and academic performance (APT). Results: Patients with epilepsy had poorer executive function scores. There was no positive linear correlation between test scores and epilepsy variables. There was a positive association between academic performance and some executive function results. Conclusion: Children with well controlled idiopathic epilepsy may show deficits in executive functions in spite of clinical variables. Those deficits may influence academic performance.Keywords: epilepsy, executive function, child, adolescent. RESUMOObjetivo: Comparar as funções executivas de crianças e adolescentes com epilepsia idiopática com um grupo controle e correlacioná-las com dados clínicos, nível intelectual, desempenho acadêmico. Método: Estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico. Foram avaliados 31 casos e 35 controles através do WCST (Wisconsin Card SortingTest). Os resultados foram comparados com dados clínicos (tipo e frequência de crises, duração da doença e número de drogas antiepilépticas utilizadas), QI (WISC-III) e desempenho acadêmico (TDE). Resultados: Pacientes com epilepsia tiveram piores resultados de funções executivas. Não houve correlação linear positiva entre a pontuação nos testes e as variáveis da epilepsia. Houve associação positiva entre desempenho acadêmico e alguns resultados de função executiva. Conclusão: Crianças com epilepsia idiopática bem controlada podem apresentar déficit de função executiva não relacionado a aspectos clínicos. Isso pode influenciar o rendimento acadêmico.Palavras-chave: epilepsia, função executiva, criança, adolescente.

Impaired Executive Function by Interictal Epileptiform Discharges in Patients with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy

“…In the present study, we found impaired executive function in patients with IGE, which is consistent with previous findings [24,28]. IGE Patients with IEDs performed worse in executive function than patients without IEDs.…”

“…Studies have shown that simple motor tasks and other tasks with low information processing demand (i.e., tasks that do not require information processing of complex sets of information) are slightly or not affected by epileptiform discharges, whereas tasks with high information processing demand are considered to be more sensitive [10,34]. In our study, executive function was assessed using the Stroop Test, the Verbal Fluency Test, the Digit Span Tests and the WCST, which have been used in several studies and have been demonstrated to be suitable to investigate executive function [15,24,35].…”

“…Executive function was assessed using the Stroop Test, the Verbal Fluency Test (using animal, fruit and word categories), the Digit Span Test (forward and backward) and the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test [24]. All patients completed executive function assessment during the 24 h ambulatory EEG recording.…”

“…The 128-card, hand-administered version of WCST was used. Scores used for analysis were the number of categories completed, correct responses, preservative responses and preservative errors [24].…”

Long-term brain structural magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive functioning in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia with high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy alone or combined with CNS radiotherapy at reduced total dose to 12 Gy

“…Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is one of the most commonly used instruments for the assessment of executive function and is considered a significant measure of cognitive flexibility, attention, and executive functioning. The test assesses abstract reasoning, the subject’s ability to generate problem-solving strategies in response to changing conditions, and may be regarded, therefore, as a measure of flexibility of thought [21]. …”