title: Risks and benefits of epilepsy surgery in a pediatric population: Consequences for memory and academic skills.
abstract: We examined benefits and risks for memory and academic functioning associated with epilepsy surgery in a pediatric population. A total of 46 patients with intractable seizures and a single seizure focus were divided into four groups according to focus localization: right temporal, left temporal, frontal, and parietal/occipital region. Pre- and postsurgery performance measures were compared across groups and with a fifth group of patients that had intractable seizures but did not undergo surgery. Both groups with temporal lobe epilepsy showed significant declines in memory test scores, while performance of the group with frontal lobe epilepsy improved. These changes were mirrored in parental reports of everyday memory. Consistent with other pediatric studies, no lateralized material-specific declines in the groups with temporal lobe epilepsy were found. When memory improved, the improvement was associated with decreases in seizure frequency and the number of anticonvulsant medications. Presurgical performance was the best predictor of declines in memory test performance. Deterioration of academic test scores in the group that did not have surgery exemplified a potential risk of living with seizures and antiepilepsy medication.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: rebecca.martin@va.gov.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Martin
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: pcirino@uh.edu.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Cirino
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Center for Neuro-Engineering and Cognitive Science, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: mhiscock@uh.edu.
authors: Merrill
authors: M
authors: Hiscock
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: rjschult@texaschildrens.org.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Schultz
authors: Neurology Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: robert.collins3@va.gov.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Collins
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: lynnchapieski@gmail.com.
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Chapieski
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Academics; Epilepsy; Memory; Pediatric; Surgery