title: [Idiopathic generalized epilepsies with absence seizures with valproic acid treatment: neuropsychological disorders].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the neuropsychological profile of children with absence seizures treated with valproate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sample of 34 children from 7 to 12 years with absence seizures treated with valproate (median dose: 30 mg/kg/day) and 28 controls. We get the neuropsychological profile by applying the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and Luria-DNI Battery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with absence seizures manifest verbal IQ significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the control group but within normal. The neuropsychological profile Luria-DNI is significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the control group in all areas except in regulation verbal, kinesthetic, visual perception, comprehension and understanding simple grammar. This is a serious deterioration profile in the areas of logical memory, short-term memory, arithmetic, numerical structure, reading, writing, naming, and articulation. Children with absence seizures have a significant memory deficit. Memory profile measured with the Luria-DNI Battery and the WISC-R appears generally deteriorated when compared with the control group (p < 0.001) although there is a paradoxical preservation of shape memory. The short-term auditory and visual memory and logical memory are particularly affected. In the epileptic group, the attentional profile (estimated by the 'third factor of the WISC-R') is generally deteriorated when compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We consider in children with this diagnosis and treatment, the neuropsychological profile described to strengthen deficient neuropsychological and psychoeducational areas. Above, we claim the need, in the consultations of neuropediatrics, the neuropsychlogists to ensure the systematic analysis of neuropsychological and cognitive difficulties both at the time of the diagnosis and follow-up of epilepsy.
authors: Área de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológicos, Campus de Vegazana, Universidad de León, E-24071 León. pacong@unileon.es
authors: P A
authors: PA
authors: Conde-Guzon
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Cancho-Candela
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D032882:Comprehension; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006313:Hearing Loss, Central / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid