title: Longitudinal assessment of neuropsychologic and language function in children with benign rolandic epilepsy.
abstract: Previous studies of benign rolandic epilepsy have reported improvement in cognitive functioning over time. Their focus was the impact of paroxysmal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity on neuropsychologic function. Comprehensive longitudinal language assessment has not previously been undertaken. In a cross-sectional study, we demonstrated that some children with benign rolandic epilepsy have difficulties in verbal and visual memory and phonologic awareness. The current study evaluated a subgroup longitudinally to determine if difficulties improved. Twenty-eight patients underwent comprehensive longitudinal neuropsychologic and language assessments. The clinical features evaluated included seizure frequency, absolute age, medications, and a follow-up EEG. Differences in performance were analyzed using t-tests. Improvement in cognitive functioning, particularly in the areas of verbal memory, receptive language ability, and phonemic manipulation, was demonstrated. Visual memory and aspects of phonologic awareness showed no change. The improvements were not related to the clinical variables. It is important to recognize cognitive difficulties in children with benign rolandic epilepsy. Some difficulties can resolve; however, continued monitoring, particularly in areas of visual memory and phonologic awareness, is required.
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Northcott
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berroya
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Batchelor
authors.forename: Galia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aaron
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soe
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bleasel
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: Ann M E
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D019305:Epilepsy, Rolandic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007807:Language Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests