title: Neuropsychological and behavioural aspects in children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy at diagnosis and after 12 months of treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study neuropsychological functions in children with idiopathic epilepsy at onset of treatment and after 1 year of therapy and to identify factors associated with cognitive impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  43 Subjects aged 5.2-16.9 years with newly diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy were enrolled and started treatment with valproate or carbamazepine. At admission and after 12 months, all patients underwent clinical examinations, the Child Behavioural Checklist, EEG and a neuropsychological test battery. The results of each test were correlated to demographic, clinical, electrophysiological and therapeutic variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Except for attention, all neuropsychological functions were normal at admission and after 12 months. An improvement with time was noted for memory (p<0.05) and logical-executive functions (p<0.01). Attentive deficit was worse at 12 months (53.5% vs. 32.6%). Low socio-economic level and emotional and behavioural disturbances were the only factors negatively correlated to intelligence, memory and attention. Compared to valproate, carbamazepine was most commonly implicated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Idiopathic epilepsy can affect attention, even before starting treatment. Emotional and behavioural difficulties and a low socio-economical status are associated with cognitive impairment.
authors: Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Insubria, Macchi Foundation Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Piccinelli
authors: Ettore
authors: E
authors: Beghi
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Borgatti
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Ferri
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Giordano
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Romeo
authors: Cristiano
authors: C
authors: Termine
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Viri
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Zucca
authors: Umberto
authors: U
authors: Balottin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid