Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neuropsychological Deficits in Childhood Epilepsy Syndromes

  • Published:
Neuropsychology Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seizure disorders are relatively common in childhood, and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) provides a hierarchical classification system to define seizure types. At the final level of classification, specific epilepsy syndromes are defined that represent a complex of signs and symptoms unique to an epilepsy condition. The present review discusses the issues related to several of these epilepsy syndromes in childhood, including those classified as generalized idiopathic epilepsies (e.g., childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy), focal epilepsies (benign rolandic epilepsy, occipital epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy, frontal lobe epilepsy) and the “epileptic encephalopathies,” including Dravet’s Syndrome, West Syndrome, Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome, Myoclonic Astatic Epilepsy, and Landau–Kleffner Syndrome. For each syndrome, the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, treatments, and neuropsychological findings are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, C. B. T., Beardsworth, E. D., Oxbury, S., Oxbury, J., & Fenwick, P. B. C. (1990). Temporal lobectomy in 44 children: Outcome and neuropsychological follow-up. Journal of Epilepsy, 3(Suppl), 157–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appleton, R. E. (2001). West syndrome: Long-term prognosis and social aspects. Brain & Development, 23(7), 688–691.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arunkumar, G., Prakash, K., & Rothner, D. (2001). Localization-related epilepsies: Simple partial seizures, complex partial seizures, benign focal epilepsy of childhood, and epilepsia partialis continua. In J. Pellock, W. E. Dodson, & B. Bourgeois (Eds.), (2nd Ed., pp. 243–264). New York: Demos.

  • Asconape, J., & Penry, J. K. (1984). Some clinical and EEG aspects of benign juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Epilepsia, 25(1), 108–114.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Auclair, L., Jambaque, I., Dulac, O., LaBerge, D., & Sieroff, E. (2005). Deficit of preparatory attention in children with frontal lobe epilepsy. Neuropsychologia, 43(12), 1701–1712.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beardsworth, E. D., & Zaidel, D. W. (1994). Memory for faces in epileptic children before and after brain surgery. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology: Official Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 16(4), 589–596.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bello-Espinosa, L. E., & Roberts, S. L. (2003). Levetiracetam for benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes—Three cases. Seizure, 12(3), 157–159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benbadis, S. R. (2005). Practical management issues for idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Epilepsia, 46(Suppl 9), 125–132.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beran, R. G., Berkovic, S. F., Dunagan, F. M., Vajda, F. J., Danta, G., Black, A. B., et al. (1998). Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of lamotrigine in treatment-resistant generalised epilepsy. Epilepsia, 39(12), 1329–1333.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, A. T., Levy, S. R., Testa, F. M., & Shinnar, S. (1999). Classification of childhood epilepsy syndromes in newly diagnosed epilepsy: Interrater agreement and reasons for disagreement. Epilepsia, 40(4), 439–444.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, A. T., Shinnar, S., Levy, S. R., Testa, F. M., Smith-Rapaport, S., & Beckerman, B. (2000). How well can epilepsy syndromes be identified at diagnosis? A reassessment 2 years after initial diagnosis. Epilepsia, 41(10), 1269–1275.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Besag, F. M. (2006). Cognitive and behavioral outcomes of epileptic syndromes: Implications for education and clinical practice. Epilepsia, 47(Suppl 2), 119–125.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Billingsley, R., & Smith, M. L. (2000). Intelligence profiles in children and adolescents with left temporal lobe epilepsy: Relationship to language laterality. Brain and Cognition, 43(1–3), 44–49.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Billingsley, R. L., Smith, M. L., & McAndrews, M. P. (2000). Material-specific and non-specific attention deficits in children and adolescents following temporal-lobe surgery. Neuropsychologia, 38(3), 292–303.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, D. V. (1985). Age of onset and outcome in ‘acquired aphasia with convulsive disorder’ (Landau–Kleffner syndrome). Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 27(6), 705–712.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bjornaes, H., Stabell, K., Henriksen, O., & Loyning, Y. (2001). The effects of refractory epilepsy on intellectual functioning in children and adults. A longitudinal study. Seizure: The Journal of the British Epilepsy Association, 10(4), 250–259.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blume, W. T., David, R. B., & Gomez, M. R. (1973). Generalized sharp and slow wave complexes. Associated clinical features and long-term follow-up. Brain: A Journal of Neurology, 96(2), 289–306.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bourgeois, B. F. (1998). Temporal lobe epilepsy in infants and children. Brain & Development, 20(3), 135–141.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bourgeois, B. F. (2000). Drug treatment of benign focal epilepsies of childhood. Epilepsia, 41(8), 1057–1058.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Browne, T. R. (1976). Clonazepam. A review of a new anticonvulsant drug. Archives of Neurology, 33(5), 326–332.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Browne, T. R. (1978). Clonazepam. The New England Journal of Medicine, 299(15), 812–816.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Browne, T. R., Dreifuss, F. E., Dyken, P. R., Goode, D. J., Penry, J. K., Porter, R. J., et al. (1975). Ethosuximide in the treatment of absence (peptit mal) seizures. Neurology, 25(6), 515–524.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruni, J., Wilder, B. J., Bauman, A. W., & Willmore, L. J. (1980). Clinical efficacy and long-term effects of valproic acid therapy on spike-and-wave discharges. Neurology, 30(1), 42–46.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Camfield, P., & Camfield, C. (2002). Epileptic syndromes in childhood: Clinical features, outcomes, and treatment. Epilepsia, 43, 27–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Camfield, P. R., Gates, R., Ronen, G., Camfield, C., Ferguson, A., & MacDonald, G. W. (1984). Comparison of cognitive ability, personality profile, and school success in epileptic children with pure right versus left temporal lobe EEG foci. Annals of Neurology, 15(2), 122–126.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caraballo, R. H., & Fejerman, N. (2006). Dravet syndrome: A study of 53 patients. Epilepsy Research, 70(Suppl 1), S231–S238.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casse-Perot, C., Wolf, M., & Dravet, C. (2001). Neuropsychological aspects of severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy. In I. Jambaque, M. Lassonde, & O. Dulac (Eds.), Neuropsychology of childhood epilepsy (pp. 131–140, 1st ed.). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavazzuti, G. B. (1980). Epidemiology of different types of epilepsy in school age children of Modena, Italy. Epilepsia, 21(1), 57–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaix, Y., Daquin, G., Monteiro, F., Villeneuve, N., Laguitton, V., & Genton, P. (2003). Absence epilepsy with onset before age three years: A heterogeneous and often severe condition. Epilepsia, 44(7), 944–949.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chelune, G. J., Naugle, R. I., Hermann, B. P., Barr, W. B., Trenerry, M. R., Loring, D. W., et al. (1998). Does presurgical IQ predict seizure outcome after temporal lobectomy? Evidence from the Bozeman epilepsy consortium. Epilepsia, 39(3), 314–318.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chilosi, A. M., Brovedani, P., Moscatelli, M., Bonanni, P., & Guerrini, R. (2006). Neuropsychological findings in idiopathic occipital lobe epilepsies. Epilepsia, 47(Suppl 2), 76–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clusmann, H., Kral, T., Gleissner, U., Sassen, R., Urbach, H., Blumcke, I., et al. (2004). Analysis of different types of resection for pediatric patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurosurgery, 54(4), 847–859 discussion 859–860.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. (1992). Auditory/verbal and visual/spatial memory in children with complex partial epilepsy of temporal lobe origin. Brain and Cognition, 20(2), 315–326.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, H., & Le Normand, M. T. (1998). Language development in children with simple-partial left-hemisphere epilepsy. Brain and Language, 64(3), 409–422.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M., Prather, A., Town, P., & Hynd, G. (1990). Neurodevelopmental differences in emotional prosody in normal children and children with left and right temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain and Language, 38(1), 122–134.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy (1981). Proposal for revised clinical and electroencephalographic classification of epileptic seizures. Epilepsia, 22, 489–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coppola, G. (2004). Treatment of partial seizures in childhood: An overview. CNS Drugs, 18(3), 133–156.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, L. D. (2002). The epidemiology of the epilepsies in children. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 8(3), 171–181.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croona, C., Kihlgren, M., Lundberg, S., Eeg-Olofsson, O., & Eeg-Olofsson, K. E. (1999). Neuropsychological findings in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 41(12), 813–818.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cross, J. H. (2002). Topiramate monotherapy for childhood absence seizures: An open label pilot study. Seizure: The Journal of the British Epilepsy Association, 11(6), 406–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Culhane-Shelburne, K., Chapieski, L., Hiscock, M., & Glaze, D. (2002). Executive functions in children with frontal and temporal lobe epilepsy. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 8(5), 623–632.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalby, M. A. (1969). Epilepsy and 3 per second spike and wave rhythms. A clinical, electroencephalographic and prognostic analysis of 346 patients. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, (Suppl), Suppl 40–40:3+.

  • de Araujo , G. M., Pascalicchio, T. F., Lin, K., Sousa, P. S., & Yacubian, E. M. T. (2006). Neuropsychiatric profiles of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy treated with valproate or topiramate. Epilepsy & Behavior, 8(3), 606–609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Debiais, S., Tuller, L., Barthez, M. A., Monjauze, C., Khomsi, A., Praline, J., et al. (2007). Epilepsy and language development: The continuous spike-waves during slow sleep syndrome. Epilepsia, 48(6), 1104–1110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado-Escueta, A. V., Greenberg, D. A., Treiman, L., Liu, A., Sparkes, R. S., Barbetti, A., et al. (1989). Mapping the gene for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Epilepsia, 30(Suppl 4), S8–S18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deonna, T. W. (1991). Acquired epileptiform aphasia in children (Landau–Kleffner syndrome). Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, 8(3), 288–298.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deonna, T., Peter, C., & Ziegler, A. L. (1989). Adult follow-up of the acquired aphasia-epilepsy syndrome in childhood. report of 7 cases. Neuropediatrics, 20(3), 132–138.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deonna, T., Ziegler, A. L., Despland, P. A., & van Melle, G. (1986). Partial epilepsy in neurologically normal children: Clinical syndromes and prognosis. Epilepsia, 27(3), 241–247.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devinsky, O., Gershengorn, J., Brown, E., Perrine, K., Vazquez, B., & Luciano, D. (1997). Frontal functions in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, & Behavioral Neurology, 10(4), 243–246.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dulac, O., Plouin, P., & Jambaque, I. (1993). Predicting favorable outcome in idiopathic west syndrome. Epilepsia, 34(4), 747–756.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, D. W., & Kronenberger, W. G. (2005). Childhood epilepsy, attention problems, and ADHD: Review and practical considerations. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 12(4), 222–228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eeg-Olofsson, O., Safwenberg, J., & Wigertz, A. (1982). HLA and epilepsy: An investigation of different types of epilepsy in children and their families. Epilepsia, 23(1), 27–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engel Jr., J. (2006). ILAE classification of epilepsy syndromes. Epilepsy Research, 70(Suppl 1), S5–S10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Farwell, J. R., Dodrill, C. B., & Batzel, L. W. (1985). Neuropsychological abilities of children with epilepsy. Epilepsia, 26(5), 395–400.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Filippini, M., Boni, A., Dazzani, G., Guerra, A., & Gobbi, G. (2006). Neuropsychological findings: Myoclonic astatic epilepsy (MAE) and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Epilepsia, 47(Suppl 2), 56–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, L. M., Enlow, T., Holmes, G. L., Manasco, P., Concannon, S., Chen, C., et al. (1999). Lamictal (lamotrigine) monotherapy for typical absence seizures in children. Epilepsia, 40(7), 973–979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freemon, F. R., Douglas, E. F., & Penry, J. K. (1973). Environmental interaction and memory during petit mal (absence) seizures. Pediatrics, 51(5), 911–918.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gadian, D. G., Isaacs, E. B., Cross, J. H., Connelly, A., Jackson, G. D., King, M. D., et al. (1996). Lateralization of brain function in childhood revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neurology, 46(4), 974–977.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gaily, E., Appelqvist, K., Kantola-Sorsa, E., Liukkonen, E., Kyyronen, P., Sarpola, M., et al. (1999). Cognitive deficits after cryptogenic infantile spasms with benign seizure evolution. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 41(10), 660–664.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Germano, E., Gagliano, A., Magazu, A., Sferro, C., Calarese, T., Mannarino, E., et al. (2005). Benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms: Neuropsychological findings. Epilepsy Research, 64(3), 137–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gleissner, U., Kurthen, M., Sassen, R., Kuczaty, S., Elger, C. E., Linke, D. B., et al. (2003). Clinical and neuropsychological characteristics of pediatric epilepsy patients with atypical language dominance. Epilepsy & Behavior, 4(6), 746–752.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gleissner, U., Sassen, R., Schramm, J., Elger, C. E., & Helmstaedter, C. (2005). Greater functional recovery after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery in children. Brain: A Journal of Neurology, 128(Pt 12), 2822–2829.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gloor, P., & Fariello, R. G. (1988). Generalized epilepsy: Some of its cellular mechanisms differ from those of focal epilepsy. Trends in Neurosciences, 11(2), 63–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, I. L., Zupanc, M. L., & Buchhalter, J. R. (2000). Long-term seizure outcome in 74 patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome: Effects of incorporating MRI head imaging in defining the cryptogenic subgroup. Epilepsia, 41(4), 395–399.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grunewald, R. A., Chroni, E., & Panayiotopoulos, C. P. (1992). Delayed diagnosis of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 55(6), 497–499.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gulgonen, S., Demirbilek, V., Korkmaz, B., Dervent, A., & Townes, B. D. (2000). Neuropsychological functions in idiopathic occipital lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia, 41(4), 405–411.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gunduz, E., Demirbilek, V., & Korkmaz, B. (1999). Benign rolandic epilepsy: Neuropsychological findings. Seizure: The Journal of the British Epilepsy Association, 8(4), 246–249.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetta, F. (2006). Cognitive and behavioral outcome in west syndrome. Epilepsia, 47(Suppl 2), 49–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetta, F., Frisone, M. F., Ricci, D., Rando, T., & Guzzetta, A. (2002). Development of visual attention in West syndrome. Epilepsia, 43(7), 757–763.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hauser, W. A., Annegers, J. F., & Rocca, W. A. (1996). Descriptive epidemiology of epilepsy: Contributions of population-based studies from Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Mayo Clinic, 71(6), 576–586.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heijbel, J., Blom, S., & Bergfors, P. G. (1975). Benign epilepsy of children with centrotemporal EEG foci. A study of incidence rate in outpatient care. Epilepsia, 16(5), 657–664.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hermann, B., Hansen, R., Seidenberg, M., Magnotta, V., & O’Leary, D. (2003). Neurodevelopmental vulnerability of the corpus callosum to childhood onset localization-related epilepsy. NeuroImage, 18(2), 284–292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hermann, B. P., Seidenberg, M., & Bell, B. (2002). The neurodevelopmental impact of childhood onset temporal lobe epilepsy on brain structure and function and the risk of progressive cognitive effects. Progress in Brain Research, 135, 429–438.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hermann, B. P., Seidenberg, M., Haltiner, A., & Wyler, A. R. (1995). Relationship of age at onset, chronologic age, and adequacy of preoperative performance to verbal memory change after anterior temporal lobectomy. Epilepsia, 36(2), 137–145.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, M. T., Sauerwein, H. C., de Guise, E., Lortie, A., Jambaque, I., Dulac, O., et al. (2001). Neuropsychology of frontal lobe epilepsy in children. In I. Jambaque, M. Lassonde, & O. Dulac (Eds.), Neuropsychology of childhood epilepsy (pp. 103–111, 1st ed.). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, M. T., Sauerwein, H. C., Jambaque, I., De Guise, E., Lussier, F., Lortie, A., et al. (2002). Deficits in executive functions and motor coordination in children with frontal lobe epilepsy. Neuropsychologia, 40(4), 384–400.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, M. T., Sauerwein, H. C., Jambaque, I., de Guise, E., Lussier, F., Lortie, A., et al. (2003). Attention, memory, and behavioral adjustment in children with frontal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 4(5), 522–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, D. L. (1990). Epidemiology of severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. Epilepsia, 31(4), 397–400.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Igarashi, K., Oguni, H., Osawa, M., Awaya, Y., Kato, M., Mimura, M., et al. (2002). Wisconsin card sorting test in children with temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain & Development, 24(3), 174–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igarashi, K., Oguni, H., Uehara, T., Mukahira, K., & Osawa, M. (1995). Neuropsychological study of localization-related epilepsy in children. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 49(3), S270–S272.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jambaque, I. (2001). Neuropsychology of temporal lobe epilepsy in children. In I. Jambaque, M. Lassonde, & O. Dulac (Eds.), Neuropsychology of childhood epilepsy (pp. 97–102, 1st ed.). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jambaque, I., Chiron, C., Dulac, O., Raynaud, C., & Syrota, P. (1993). Visual inattention in West syndrome: A neuropsychological and neurofunctional imaging study. Epilepsia, 34(4), 692–700.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jambaque, I., Dellatolas, G., Dulac, O., Ponsot, G., & Signoret, J. L. (1993). Verbal and visual memory impairment in children with epilepsy. Neuropsychologia, 31(12), 1321–1337.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jambaque, I., Dellatolas, G., Fohlen, M., Bulteau, C., Watier, L., Dorfmuller, G., et al. (2007). Memory functions following surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy in children. Neuropsychologia, 45(12), 2850–2862.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janz, D. (1985). Epilepsy with impulsive petit mal (juvenile myoclonic epilepsy). Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 72(5), 449–459.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaminska, A., Ickowicz, A., Plouin, P., Bru, M. F., Dellatolas, G., & Dulac, O. (1999). Delineation of cryptogenic Lennox–Gastaut syndrome and myoclonic astatic epilepsy using multiple correspondence analysis. Epilepsy Research, 36(1), 15–29.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keene, D. L., Loy-English, I., & Ventureyra, E. C. (1998a). Long-term socioeconomic outcome following surgical intervention in the treatment of refractory epilepsy in childhood and adolescence. Child’s Nervous System: ChNS: Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 14(8), 362–365.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keene, D. L., Loy-English, I., & Ventureyra, E. C. (1998b). Patient satisfaction with surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy done in childhood and early adolescence. Child’s Nervous System: ChNS: Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 14(1–2), 30–32.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kieffer-Renaux, V., Kaminska, A., & Dulac, O. (2001). Cognitive deterioration in Lennox–Gastaut and Doose epilepsy. In I. Jambaque, M. Lassonde, & O. Dulac (Eds.), Neuropsychology of childhood epilepsy (pp. 185–190, 1st ed.). New York: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein, S. K., Tuchman, R. F., & Rapin, I. (2000). The influence of premorbid language skills and behavior on language recovery in children with verbal auditory agnosia. Journal of Child Neurology, 15(1), 36–43.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koo, B., Hwang, P. A., & Logan, W. J. (1993). Infantile spasms: Outcome and prognostic factors of cryptogenic and symptomatic groups. Neurology, 43(11), 2322–2327.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, U., Nevo, Y., Neufeld, M. Y., Fatal, A., Leitner, Y., & Harel, S. (1998). Epidemiology of epilepsy in childhood: A cohort of 440 consecutive patients. Pediatric Neurology, 18(1), 46–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuehn, S. M., Keene, D. L., Richards, P. M., & Ventureyra, E. C. (2002). Are there changes in intelligence and memory functioning following surgery for the treatment of refractory epilepsy in childhood? Child’s Nervous System: ChNS: Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 18(6–7), 306–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landau, W. M., & Kleffner, F. R. (1957). Syndrome of acquired aphasia with convulsive disorder in children. Neurology, 7(8), 523–530.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G. P., Westerveld, M., Blackburn, L. B., Park, Y. D., & Loring, D. W. (2005). Prediction of verbal memory decline after epilepsy surgery in children: Effectiveness of Wada memory asymmetries. Epilepsia, 46(1), 97–103.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lendt, M., Gleissner, U., Helmstaedter, C., Sassen, R., Clusmann, H., & Elger, C. E. (2002). Neuropsychological outcome in children after frontal lobe epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy and Behavior, 3(1), 51–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lendt, M., Helmstaedter, C., & Elger, C. E. (1999). Pre- and postoperative neuropsychological profiles in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia, 40(11), 1543–1550.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, S., Torres, I., Pauli, L. L., & Rider, R. V. (1965). Petit mal epilepsy. Results of a prolonged follow-up study of 117 patients. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 194(3), 227–232.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loiseau, P., Duche, B., & Pedespan, J. M. (1995). Absence epilepsies. Epilepsia, 36(12), 1182–1186.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lund, M., & Trolle, E. (1973). Clonazepam in the treatment of epilepsy. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum, 53, 82–90.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majoie, H. J., Berfelo, M. W., Aldenkamp, A. P., Evers, S. M., Kessels, A. G., & Renier, W. O. (2001). Vagus nerve stimulation in children with therapy-resistant epilepsy diagnosed as Lennox–Gastaut syndrome: Clinical results, neuropsychological effects, and cost-effectiveness. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, 18(5), 419–428.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majoie, H. J., Berfelo, M. W., Aldenkamp, A. P., Renier, W. O., & Kessels, A. G. (2005). Vagus nerve stimulation in patients with catastrophic childhood epilepsy, a 2-year follow-up study. Seizure: The Journal of the British Epilepsy Association, 14(1), 10–18.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manford, M., Hart, Y. M., Sander, J. W., & Shorvon, S. D. (1992). The national general practice study of epilepsy. The syndromic classification of the international league against epilepsy applied to epilepsy in a general population. Archives of Neurology, 49(8), 801–808.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, A., Watanabe, K., Negoro, T., Sugiura, M., Iwase, K., Hara, K., et al. (1981). Infantile spasms: Etiological factors, clinical aspects, and long term prognosis in 200 cases. European Journal of Pediatrics, 135(3), 239–244.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McVicar, K. A., & Shinnar, S. (2004). Landau–Kleffner syndrome, electrical status epilepticus in slow wave sleep, and language regression in children. Mental retardation and developmental disabilities research reviews, 10(2), 144–149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meletti, S., Benuzzi, F., Nichelli, P., & Tassinaria, C. A. (2003). Damage to the right hippocampal-amygdala formation during early infancy and recognition of fearful faces: Neuropsychological and fMRI evidence in subjects with temporal lobe epilepsy. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1000, 385–388.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Metrakos, K., & Metrakos, J. D. (1961). Genetics of convulsive disorders. II. Genetic and electroencephalographic studies in centrencephalic epilepsy. Neurology, 11, 474–483.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nabbout, R., & Dulac, O. (2003). Epileptic encephalopathies: A brief overview. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, 20(6), 393–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neubauer, B. A., Fiedler, B., Himmelein, B., Kampfer, F., Lassker, U., Schwabe, G., et al. (1998). Centrotemporal spikes in families with rolandic epilepsy: Linkage to chromosome 15q14. Neurology, 51(6), 1608–1612.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, M. A., Redoblado, M. A., Lah, S., Sabaz, M., Lawson, J. A., Cunningham, A. M., et al. (2003). Intelligence in childhood epilepsy syndromes. Epilepsy Research, 53(1–2), 139–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, M. A., Redoblado, M. A., Lah, S., Sabaz, M., Lawson, J. A., Cunningham, A. M., et al. (2004). Memory function in childhood epilepsy syndromes. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 40(1–2), 20–27.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Northcott, E., Connolly, A. M., Berroya, A., Sabaz, M., McIntyre, J., Christie, J., et al. (2005). The neuropsychological and language profile of children with benign rolandic epilepsy. Epilepsia, 46(6), 924–930.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Northcott, E., Connolly, A. M., Mclntyre, J., Christie, J., Berroya, A., Taylor, A., et al. (2006). Longitudinal assessment of neuropsychologic and language function in children with benign rolandic epilepsy. Journal of Child Neurology, 21(6), 518–522.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oguni, H., Hayashi, K., & Osawa, M. (1996). Long-term prognosis of Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. Epilepsia, 37(Suppl 3), 44–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oguni, H., Hayashi, K., Osawa, M., Awaya, Y., Fukuyama, Y., Fukuma, G., et al. (2005). Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: Clinical analysis and relation to SCN1A mutations in a Japanese cohort. Advances in Neurology, 95, 103–117.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oguni, H., Mukahira, K., Tanaka, T., Awaya, Y., Saito, K., Shimizu, H., et al. (2000). Surgical indication for refractory childhood epilepsy. Epilepsia, 41(Suppl 9), 21–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oguni, H., Tanaka, T., Hayashi, K., Funatsuka, M., Sakauchi, M., Shirakawa, S., et al. (2002). Treatment and long-term prognosis of myoclonic-astatic epilepsy of early childhood. Neuropediatrics, 33(3), 122–132.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ohtsuka, Y., Maniwa, S., Ogino, T., Yamatogi, Y., & Ohtahara, S. (1991). Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: A long-term follow-up study. The Japanese Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology, 45(2), 416–418.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panayiotopoulos, C. P., Tahan, R., & Obeid, T. (1991). Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Factors of error involved in the diagnosis and treatment. Epilepsia, 32(5), 672–676.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pascalicchio, T. F., de Araujo Filho, G. M., da Silva Noffs, M. H., Lin, K., Caboclo, L. O. S. F., Vidal-Dourado, M., et al. (2007). Neuropsychological profile of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: A controlled study of 50 patients. Epilepsy & Behavior, 10(2), 263–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavone, P., Bianchini, R., Trifiletti, R. R., Incorpora, G., Pavone, A., & Parano, E. (2001). Neuropsychological assessment in children with absence epilepsy. Neurology, 56(8), 1047–1051.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perini, G. I., Tosin, C., Carraro, C., Bernasconi, G., Canevini, M. P., Canger, R., et al. (1996). Interictal mood and personality disorders in temporal lobe epilepsy and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 61(6), 601–605.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Plaza, M., Rigoard, M. T., Chevrie-Muller, C., Cohen, H., & Picard, A. (2001). Short-term memory impairment and unilateral dichotic listening extinction in a child with Landau–Kleffner syndrome: Auditory or phonological disorder? Brain and Cognition, 46(1–2), 235–240.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prevost, J., Lortie, A., Nguyen, D., Lassonde, M., & Carmant, L. (2006). Nonlesional frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) of childhood: Clinical presentation, response to treatment and comorbidity. Epilepsia, 47(12), 2198–2201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rando, T., Bancale, A., Baranello, G., Bini, M., De Belvis, A. G., Epifanio, R., et al. (2004). Visual function in infants with west syndrome: Correlation with EEG patterns. Epilepsia, 45(7), 781–786.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rando, T., Baranello, G., Ricci, D., Guzzetta, A., Tinelli, F., Biagioni, E., et al. (2005). Cognitive competence at the onset of west syndrome: Correlation with EEG patterns and visual function. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 47(11), 760–765.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reutens, D. C., & Berkovic, S. F. (1995). Idiopathic generalized epilepsy of adolescence: Are the syndromes clinically distinct? Neurology, 45(8), 1469–1476.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riikonen, R. (2001). Long-term outcome of patients with West syndrome. Brain & Development, 23(7), 683–687.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riva, D., Avanzini, G., Franceschetti, S., Nichelli, F., Saletti, V., Vago, C., et al. (2005). Unilateral frontal lobe epilepsy affects executive functions in children. Neurological Sciences: Official Journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 26(4), 263–270.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, R. O., Baird, G., Robinson, G., & Simonoff, E. (2001). Landau–Kleffner syndrome: Course and correlates with outcome. Developmental medicine and child neurology, 43(4), 243–247.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S., Park, T. S., Blackburn, L. B., Bourgeois, B. F., Arnold, S. T., & Dodson, W. E. (2000). Transparahippocampal selective amygdalohippocampectomy in children and adolescents: Efficacy of the procedure and cognitive morbidity in patients. Journal of Neurosurgery, 93(3), 402–409.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rotenberg, J., & Pearl, P. L. (2003). Landau–Kleffner syndrome. Archives of Neurology, 60(7), 1019–1021.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheffer, I. E., Wallace, R., Mulley, J. C., & Berkovic, S. F. (2001). Clinical and molecular genetics of myoclonic-astatic epilepsy and severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (Dravet syndrome). Brain & Development, 23(7), 732–735.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scholtes, F. B., Hendriks, M. P., & Renier, W. O. (2005). Cognitive deterioration and electrical status epilepticus during slow sleep. Epilepsy & Behavior, 6(2), 167–173.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, R. (2005). Attention deficit disorder and epilepsy. Pediatric Neurology, 32(1), 1–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seidel, W. T., & Mitchell, W. G. (1999). Cognitive and behavioral effects of carbamazepine in children: Data from benign rolandic epilepsy. Journal of Child Neurology, 14(11), 716–723.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sherard Jr., E. S., Steiman, G. S., & Couri, D. (1980). Treatment of childhood epilepsy with valproic acid: Results of the first 100 patients in a 6-month trial. Neurology, 30(1), 31–35.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sidenvall, R., Forsgren, L., Blomquist, H. K., & Heijbel, J. (1993). A community-based prospective incidence study of epileptic seizures in children. Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway: 1992), 82(1), 60–65.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siren, A., Kylliainen, A., Tenhunen, M., Hirvonen, K., Riita, T., & Koivikko, M. (2007). Beneficial effects of antiepileptic medication on absence seizures and cognitive functioning in children. Epilepsy and Behavior, 11(1), 85–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephani, U. (2006). The natural history of myoclonic astatic epilepsy (Doose syndrome) and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. Epilepsia, 47(Suppl 2), 53–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sveinbjornsdottir, S., & Duncan, J. S. (1993). Parietal and occipital lobe epilepsy: A review. Epilepsia, 34(3), 493–521.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, C. A., Wyllie, E., Stanford, L. D., Geckler, C., Kotagal, P., Comair, Y. G., et al. (1998). Neuropsychological effect of temporal lobe resection in preadolescent children with epilepsy. Epilepsia, 39(8), 814–819.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takeoka, M., Riviello Jr., J. J., Duffy, F. H., Kim, F., Kennedy, D. N., Makris, N., et al. (2004). Bilateral volume reduction of the superior temporal areas in Landau–Kleffner syndrome. Neurology, 63(7), 1289–1292.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tassinari, C. A., Rubboli, G., Volpi, L., Meletti, S., d’Orsi, G., Franca, M., et al. (2000). Encephalopathy with electrical status epilepticus during slow sleep or ESES syndrome including the acquired aphasia. Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, 111(Suppl 2), S94–S102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tovia, E., Goldberg-Stern, H., Shahar, E., & Kramer, U. (2006). Outcome of children with juvenile absence epilepsy. Journal of Child Neurology, 21(9), 766–768.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trinka, E., Kienpointner, G., Unterberger, I., Luef, G., Bauer, G., Doering, L. B., et al. (2006). Psychiatric comorbidity in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Epilepsia, 47(12), 2086–2091.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vadlamudi, L., Kjeldsen, M. J., Corey, L. A., Solaas, M. H., Friis, M. L., Pellock, J. M., et al. (2006). Analyzing the etiology of benign rolandic epilepsy: A multicenter twin collaboration. Epilepsia, 47(3), 550–555.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vanasse, C. M., Beland, R., Carmant, L., & Lassonde, M. (2005). Impact of childhood epilepsy on reading and phonological processing abilities. Epilepsy & Behavior, 7(2), 288–296.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Hout, A. (2001). Aphasia and auditory agnosia in children with Landau–Kleffner syndrome. In I. Jambaque, M. Lassonde, & O. Dulac (Eds.), Neuropsychology of childhood epilepsy (pp. 191–198, 1st ed.). New York: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vazquez, B., Devinsky, O., Luciano, D., Alper, K., & Perrine, K. (1993). Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Clinical features and factors related to misdiagnosis. Journal of Epilepsy, 6(4), 233–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veggiotti, P., Termine, C., Granocchio, E., Bova, S., Papalia, G., & Lanzi, G. (2002). Long-term neuropsychological follow-up and nosological considerations in five patients with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep. Epileptic Disorders: International Epilepsy Journal with Videotape, 4(4), 243–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westerveld, M., Sass, K. J., Chelune, G. J., Hermann, B. P., Barr, W. B., Loring, D. W., et al. (2000). Temporal lobectomy in children: Cognitive outcome. Journal of Neurosurgery, 92(1), 24–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J., Griebel, M. L., Sharp, G. B., & Boop, F. A. (1998). Cognition and behavior after temporal lobectomy in pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy. Pediatric Neurology, 19(3), 189–194.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J., Sharp, G., Bates, S., & Griebel, M. (1996). Academic achievement and behavioral ratings in children with absence and complex partial epilepsy. Education & Treatment of Children, 19(2), 143–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirrell, E. C. (2003). Natural history of absence epilepsy in children. The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Le Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques, 30(3), 184–188.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wirrell, E. C., Camfield, C. S., Camfield, P. R., Dooley, J. M., Gordon, K. E., & Smith, B. (1997). Long-term psychosocial outcome in typical absence epilepsy. Sometimes a wolf in sheeps’ clothing. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 151(2), 152–158.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wirrell, E. C., Camfield, C. S., Camfield, P. R., Gordon, K. E., & Dooley, J. M. (1996). Long-term prognosis of typical childhood absence epilepsy: Remission or progression to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Neurology, 47(4), 912–918.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wirrell, E., Farrell, K., & Whiting, S. (2005). The epileptic encephalopathies of infancy and childhood. The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Le Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques, 32(4), 409–418.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, P., & Goosses, R. (1986). Relation of photosensitivity to epileptic syndromes. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 49(12), 1386–1391.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, M., Casse-Perrot, C., & Dravet, C. (2006). Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infants (Dravet syndrome): Natural history and neuropsychological findings. Epilepsia, 47(Suppl 2), 45–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, 403 East 34th Street, 4th floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    William S. MacAllister & Sarah G. Schaffer

Authors
  1. William S. MacAllister
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sarah G. Schaffer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William S. MacAllister.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MacAllister, W.S., Schaffer, S.G. Neuropsychological Deficits in Childhood Epilepsy Syndromes. Neuropsychol Rev 17, 427–444 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-007-9048-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-007-9048-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation