Executive functions in childhood epilepsy

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511977954.014

Chapter 11 - Executive functions in childhood epilepsy

from Section II - Executive Dysfunction in the Neurodevelopmental and Acquired Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 October 2012

Frank A. Zelko and

Lev Gottlieb

Edited by

Scott J. Hunter and

Elizabeth P. Sparrow

Show author details

Scott J. Hunter: Affiliation:
University of Chicago
Elizabeth P. Sparrow: Affiliation:
Sparrow Neuropsychology

Book contents

Get access

Summary

Epilepsy, which is defined by a pattern of recurring seizures, comprises an array of diseases and syndromes within an evolving classification framework. The cardinal feature of epilepsy is the electroclinical event, an anomalous behavior or sensory alteration that correlates with abnormal electrophysiological activity in the brain. Clinical manifestations of childhood epilepsy are broad, ranging from fleeting reductions of consciousness, to simple sensory and motor events, to complex behaviors and disruptions of higher-level cognition. Electrophysiological events associated with seizures also vary in form and localization.

Cognition in childhood epilepsy is influenced by several factors, including: (1) underlying genetic, metabolic, and neuropathologic processes that give rise to epileptic events, (2) transient event-related neurophysiological disruptions, (3) neuronal injury caused by epileptic events leading to progressive neurologic and cognitive deterioration, and (4) adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Environmental and disease factors such as age of onset, seizure frequency, and epilepsy type or syndrome have also been associated with cognitive outcome in childhood epilepsy. In light of this heterogeneity, the failure to identify a “signature profile” of neuropsychological impairment in childhood epilepsy is not surprising. However, many forms of childhood epilepsy are associated with disruptions of behavior or cognition that are potentially indicative of EdF.

Type: Chapter
Information: Executive Function and Dysfunction
Identification, Assessment and Treatment
, pp. 149 - 157

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511977954.014 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Berg, ATBerkovic, SFBrodie, MJRevised terminology and concepts for organization of seizures and epilepsies: report of the ILAE Commission on Classification and Terminology, 2005–2009Epilepsia 2010 51 676CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Panayiotopoulos, CP.The Epilepsies: Seizures, Syndromes and Management. Chipping NortonOxfordshire, UKBladon Medical Publishing 2005Google Scholar

Fastenau, PSShen, JDunn, DWNeuropsychological predictors of academic underachievement in pediatric epilepsy: moderating roles of demographic, seizure, and psychosocial variablesEpilepsia 2004 45 1261CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Dunn, DWJohnson, CSPerkins, SMAcademic problems in children with seizures: relationships with neuropsychological functioning and family variables during the 3 years after onsetEpilepsy Behav 2010 19 455CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Nolan, MARedoblado, MALah, SIntelligence in childhood epilepsy syndromesEpilepsy Res 2003 53 139CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Berg, AT.Epilepsy, cognition, and behavior: The clinical pictureEpilepsia 2011 52 7CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Vermeulen, JKortstee, SWAlpherts, WCCognitive performance in learning disabled children with and without epilepsySeizure 1994 3 13CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Williams, JGriebel, MLDykman, RA.Neuropsychological patterns in pediatric epilepsySeizure 1998 7 223CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Mirsky, AFPrimac, DWMarsan, CAA comparison of the psychological test performance of patients with focal and nonfocal epilepsyExp Neurol 1960 2 75CrossRef Google Scholar

Ounsted, C.The hyperkinetic syndrome in epileptic childrenLancet 1955 269 303CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Stores, GHart, JPiran, N.Inattentiveness in schoolchildren with epilepsyEpilepsia 1978 19 169CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Semrud-Clikeman, MWical, B.Components of attention in children with complex partial seizures with and without ADHDEpilepsia 1999 40 211CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Dunn, DWAustin, JKHarezlak, JADHD and epilepsy in childhoodDev Med Child Neurol 2003 45 50CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hesdorffer, DCLudvigsson, POlafsson, EADHD as a risk factor for incident unprovoked seizures and epilepsy in childrenArch Gen Psychiatry 2004 61 731CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BJones, JDabbs, KThe frequency, complications and aetiology of ADHD in new onset paediatric epilepsyBrain 2007 130 3135CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Reilly, CJ.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood epilepsyRes Dev Disabil 2011 32 883CrossRef Google Scholar

Davis, SMKatusic, SKBarbaresi, WJEpilepsy in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderPediatr Neurol 2010 42 325CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Henkin, YSadeh, MKivity, SCognitive function in idiopathic generalized epilepsy of childhoodDev Med Child Neurol 2005 47 126CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BPJones, JESheth, RGrowing up with epilepsy: a two-year investigation of cognitive development in children with new onset epilepsyEpilepsia 2008 49 1847CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Fastenau, PSJohnson, CSPerkins, SMNeuropsychological status at seizure onset in children: risk factors for early cognitive deficitsNeurology 2009 73 526CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Berg, ATLangfitt, JTTesta, FMResidual cognitive effects of uncomplicated idiopathic and cryptogenic epilepsyEpilepsy Behav 2008 13 614CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Sogawa, YMasur, DO'Dell, CCognitive outcomes in children who present with a first unprovoked seizureEpilepsia 2010 51 2432CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Aldenkamp, ABraken, BK, MA clinical comparative study evaluating the effect of epilepsy versus ADHD on timed cognitive tasks in childrenChild Neuropsychol 2000 6 209CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Oostrom, KJSmeets-Schouten, THThree to four years after diagnosis: cognition and behavior in children with ‘epilepsy only’. A prospective, controlled studyBrain 2005 128 1546CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Tian, YDong, BMa, JAttention networks in children with idiopathic generalized epilepsyEpilepsy Behav 2010 19 513CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Asato, MRNawarawong, NHermann, BDeficits in oculomotor performance in pediatric epilepsyEpilepsia 2011 52 377Google Scholar PubMed

Fan, JMcCandliss, BDSommer, TTesting the efficiency and independence of attentional networksJ Cogn Neurosci 2002 14 340CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hoie, BMykletun, AWaaler, PEExecutive functions and seizure-related factors in children with epilepsy in Western NorwayDev Med Child Neurol 2006 48 519CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Parrish, JGeary, EJones, JExecutive functioning in childhood epilepsy: parent-report and cognitive assessmentDev Med Child Neurol 2007 49 412CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BPLin, JJJones, JEThe emerging architecture of neuropsychological impairment in epilepsyNeurol Clin 2009 27 881CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Fry, AHale, S.Processing speed, working memory, and fluid intelligence: Evidence for a developmental cascadePsychol Sci 2011 7 237CrossRef Google Scholar

Span, MMRidderinkhof, KRvan der Molen, MW.Age-related changes in the efficiency of cognitive processing across the life spanActa Psychol (Amst) 2004 117 155CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

McAuley, TWhite, DA.A latent variables examination of processing speed, response inhibition, and working memory during typical developmentJ Exp Child Psychol 2011 108 453CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

O'Leary, SDBurns, TGBorden, KA.Performance of children with epilepsy and normal age-matched controls on the WISC-IIIChild Neuropsychol 2006 12 173CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BPJones, JSheth, RCognitive and magnetic resonance volumetric abnormalities in new-onset pediatric epilepsySemin Pediatr Neurol 2007 14 173CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Slick, DJLautzenhiser, ASherman, EMFrequency of scale elevations and factor structure of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in children and adolescents with intractable epilepsyChild Neuropsychol 2006 12 181CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Sherman, EMSlick, DJEyrl, KL.Executive dysfunction is a significant predictor of poor quality of life in children with epilepsyEpilepsia 2006 47 1936CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Luton, LMBurns, TGDeFilippis, N.Frontal lobe epilepsy in children and adolescents: a preliminary neuropsychological assessment of executive functionArch Clin Neuropsychol 2010 25 762CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Risse, GL.Cognitive outcomes in patients with frontal lobe epilepsyEpilepsia 2006 47 87CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Braakman, HMVaessen, MJHofman, PACognitive and behavioral complications of frontal lobe epilepsy in children: a review of the literatureEpilepsia 2011 52 849CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Upton, DThompson, PJ.Age at onset and neuropsychological function in frontal lobe epilepsyEpilepsia 1997 38 1103CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hernandez, MTSauerwein, HCJambaque, IDeficits in executive functions and motor coordination in children with frontal lobe epilepsyNeuropsychologia 2002 40 384CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hernandez, MTSauerwein, HCJambaque, IAttention, memory, and behavioral adjustment in children with frontal lobe epilepsyEpilepsy Behav 2003 4 522CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Culhane-Shelburne, KChapieski, LHiscock, MExecutive functions in children with frontal and temporal lobe epilepsyJ Int Neuropsychol Soc 2002 8 623CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Riva, DSaletti, VNichelli, FNeuropsychologic effects of frontal lobe epilepsy in childrenJ Child Neurol 2002 17 661CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Riva, DAvanzini, GFranceschetti, SUnilateral frontal lobe epilepsy affects executive functions in childrenNeurol Sci 2005 26 263CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

McDonald, CRDelis, DCNorman, MAIs impairment in set-shifting specific to frontal-lobe dysfunction? Evidence from patients with frontal-lobe or temporal-lobe epilepsyJ Int Neuropsychol Soc 2005 11 477Google Scholar PubMed

MacAllister, WSSchaffer, SG.Neuropsychological deficits in childhood epilepsy syndromesNeuropsychol Rev 2007 17 427CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BSeidenberg, MLee, EJCognitive phenotypes in temporal lobe epilepsyJ Int Neuropsychol Soc 2007 13 12CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Bigel, MGSmith, ML.Single and dual pathologies of the temporal lobe: effects on cognitive function in children with epilepsyEpilepsy Behav 2001 2 37CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Guimaraes, CALi, LMRzezak, PTemporal lobe epilepsy in childhood: comprehensive neuropsychological assessmentJ Child Neurol 2007 22 836CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Rzezak, PFuentes, DGuimaraes, CAFrontal lobe dysfunction in children with temporal lobe epilepsyPediatr Neurol 2007 37 176CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Rzezak, PFuentes, DGuimaraes, CAExecutive dysfunction in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy: is the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test enough?Epilepsy Behav 2009 15 376CrossRef Google Scholar

Black, LCSchefft, BKHowe, SRThe effect of seizures on working memory and executive functioning performanceEpilepsy Behav 2010 17 412CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Tuchscherer, VSeidenberg, MPulsipher, DExtrahippocampal integrity in temporal lobe epilepsy and cognition: thalamus and executive functioningEpilepsy Behav 2010 17 478CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Oyegbile, TODow, CJones, JThe nature and course of neuropsychological morbidity in chronic temporal lobe epilepsyNeurology 2004 62 1736CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hommet, CBillard, CMotte, JCognitive function in adolescents and young adults in complete remission from benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikesEpileptic Disord 2001 3 207Google Scholar

Lindgren, SKihlgren, MMelin, LDevelopment of cognitive functions in children with rolandic epilepsyEpilepsy Behav 2004 5 903CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hoie, BSommerfelt, KWaaler, PEThe combined burden of cognitive, executive function, and psychosocial problems in children with epilepsy: a population-based studyDev Med Child Neurol 2008 50 530CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Danielsson, JPetermann, F.Cognitive deficits in children with benign rolandic epilepsy of childhood or rolandic discharges: a study of children between 4 and 7 years of age with and without seizures compared with healthy controlsEpilepsy Behav 2009 16 646CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Deltour, LQuaglino, VBarathon, MClinical evaluation of attentional processes in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS)Epileptic Disord 2007 9 424Google Scholar

Goldberg-Stern, HGonen, OMSadeh, MNeuropsychological aspects of benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikesSeizure 2010 19 12CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Holtmann, MMatei, AHellmann, URolandic spikes increase impulsivity in ABrain Dev 2006 28 633CrossRef Google Scholar

Levav, MMirsky, AFHerault, JFamilial association of neuropsychological traits in patients with generalized and partial seizure disordersJ Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2002 24 311CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Conant, LLWilfong, AInglese, CDysfunction of executive and related processes in childhood absence epilepsyEpilepsy Behav 2010 18 414CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Sonmez, FAtakli, DSari, HCognitive function in juvenile myoclonic epilepsyEpilepsy Behav 2004 5 329CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Pascalicchio, TFde Araujo Filho, GMda Silva Noffs, MHNeuropsychological profile of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: a controlled study of 50 patientsEpilepsy Behav 2007 10 263CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Iqbal, NCaswell, HLHare, DJNeuropsychological profiles of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and their siblings: a preliminary controlled experimental video-EEG case seriesEpilepsy Behav 2009 14 516CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Pulsipher, DTSeidenberg, MGuidotti, LThalamofrontal circuitry and executive dysfunction in recent-onset juvenile myoclonic epilepsyEpilepsia 2009 50 1210CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Ciumas, CWahlin, TBEspino, CThe dopamine system in idiopathic generalized epilepsies: identification of syndrome-related changesNeuroimage 2010 51 606CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Wandschneider, BKopp, UAKliegel, MProspective memory in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and their healthy siblingsNeurology 2010 75 2161CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BSeidenberg, MBell, BThe neurodevelopmental impact of childhood-onset temporal lobe epilepsy on brain structure and functionEpilepsia 2002 43 1062CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BPSeidenberg, MBell, B.The neurodevelopmental impact of childhood onset temporal lobe epilepsy on brain structure and function and the risk of progressive cognitive effectsProg Brain Res 2002 135 429CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BHansen, RSeidenberg, MNeurodevelopmental vulnerability of the corpus callosum to childhood onset localization-related epilepsyNeuroimage 2003 18 284CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hermann, BPDabbs, KBecker, TBrain development in children with new onset epilepsy: a prospective controlled cohort investigationEpilepsia 2010 51 2038CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Krull, KROkcu, MFPotter, BScreening for neurocognitive impairment in pediatric cancer long-term survivorsJ Clin Oncol 2008 26 4138CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Feldman, HCrumrine, PHanden, BLMethylphenidate in children with seizures and attention-deficit disorderAm J Dis Child 1989 143 1081Google Scholar PubMed

Gross-Tsur, VManor, O, MJEpilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: is methylphenidate safe and effective?J Pediatr 1997 130 670CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Kaufmann, RGoldberg-Stern, HShuper, A.Attention-deficit disorders and epilepsy in childhood: incidence, causative relations and treatment possibilitiesJ Child Neurol 2009 24 727CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Lendt, MGleissner, UHelmstaedter, CNeuropsychological outcome in children after frontal lobe epilepsy surgeryEpilepsy Behav 2002 3 51CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Klingberg, T.Training and plasticity of working memoryTrends Cogn Sci 2010 14 317CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Butler, RWCopeland, DRFairclough, DLA multicenter, randomized clinical trial of a cognitive remediation program for childhood survivors of a pediatric malignancyJ Consult Clin Psychol 2008 76 367CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Best, JRMiller, PH.A developmental perspective on executive functionChild Dev 2010 81 1641CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Casey, BJTrainor, RJOrendi, JLA developmental functional MRI study of prefrontal activation during performance of a Go-No-Go taskJ Cogn Neurosci 1997 9 835CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Anderson, VAnderson, PGrimwood, KCognitive and executive function 12 years after childhood bacterial meningitis: effect of acute neurologic complications and age of onsetJ Pediatr Psychol 2004 29 67CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed