Longitudinal assessment of neuropsychologic and language function in children with benign rolandic epilepsy.

Full 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.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Northcott, Ellen (E); Connolly, Anne M (AM); McIntyre, Jenny (J); Christie, Jane (J); Berroya, Anna (A); Taylor, Alan (A); Batchelor, Jennifer (J); Aaron, Galia (G); Soe, Samantha (S); Bleasel, Andrew F (AF); Lawson, John A (JA); Bye, Ann M E (AM);

Affiliation: School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of child neurology (J Child Neurol), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jun; vol 21 (issue 6) : pp 518-22

Dates: Created 2006/09/04; Completed 2006/11/09; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16948938, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Child
Child, Preschool
Cognition - physiology
Electroencephalography
Epilepsy, Rolandic - physiopathology; psychology

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.