Attention and executive functions profile in childhood absence epilepsy

Subtle alterations in memory systems and normal visual attention in the GAERS model of absence epilepsy

“…Sustained visual attention difficulties have been reported in subjects with absence epilepsy (Levav et al, 2002;D'Agati et al, 2012). However, in the few studies looking at attention in human patients, most were under antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment.…”

Attention and executive functions in the early course of pediatric epilepsy

“…There is broad evidence of a higher prevalence of global cognitive deficits in children with epilepsy when compared with healthy populations [1,2]. In addition, there is a debate whether epilepsy has a specific negative effect on attention and so-called executive functions (EF) [3][4][5]. These functions undergo rapid developmental changes between infancy and youth and are important prerequisites for learning.…”

Attention and Executive Functions in Children With Epilepsy: What, Why, and What to Do

“…Cognitive deficits are also commonly seen in children and adolescents with idiopathic generalized epilepsies. For example, children with childhood absence epilepsy often show a pattern of verbal skills being stronger than visuospatial skills and visual memory being an area of deficit (Pavone et al, 2001), as well as executive dysfunction (Conant, Wilfong, Inglese, & Schwarte, 2010;D'Agati, Cerminara, Casarelli, Pitzianti, & Curatolo, 2012). Similar findings are seen in other generalized idiopathic epilepsies of childhood and adolescence, and executive dysfunction can be prominent.…”