title: Cognitive function in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
abstract: In this study, we examined 35 patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and 35 healthy volunteers. We used tests of cognitive performance (mini mental state examination, verbal and visual memory, visuospatial, frontal function, attention). In the JME group, we examined age, sex, family history, education level, age of seizure onset, seizure types, characteristics of EEG, duration of the therapy, drug dose and level, and verbal IQ level. Additionally, patients initially diagnosed as JME and patients who were initially under inappropriate drug therapy because of misdiagnosis were compared. As a result, we found statistically significant differences between JME patients and the control group with respect to verbal and visual memory. Furthermore, JME patients had impaired frontal and visuospatial function compared with the control group. We detected negative effects of younger age, family history, and absence seizures on cognitive function in JME patients.
authors.affiliation: Bakirkoy State Hospital for Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases, First Neurology Clinic, Bakirkoy, Istanbul 34747, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fugen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sonmez
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Atakli
authors.forename: Huseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sari
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Atay
authors.forename: Baki
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arpaci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D007361:Intelligence Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007802:Language; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data