The development of intellectual abilities in pediatric temporal lobe epilepsy.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of clinical variables, particularly age at onset of epilepsy, on intellectual function in a group of children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

METHODS:
We reviewed the preoperative neuropsychological test results of 79 children with unilateral TLE who subsequently underwent surgical resection. The impact of age at onset and duration of epilepsy, pathology type, and side of resection on full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) scores was examined.

RESULTS:
Intellectual dysfunction (defined as IQ < 79) was present in 57% of children, and age at onset of epilepsy was the best predictor of intellectual function. Children with epilepsy onset in the first year of life had a particularly high incidence of intellectual impairment (82.4%).

CONCLUSION:
These data suggest a critical period during the first year of life for the subsequent development of intellectual abilities and highlight the importance of early treatment in this population.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Cormack, Francesca (F); Cross, J Helen (JH); Isaacs, Elizabeth (E); Harkness, William (W); Wright, Ingram (I); Vargha-Khadem, Faraneh (F); Baldeweg, Torsten (T);

Affiliation: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK. f.cormack(-atsign-)ich.ucl.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

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

Journal: Epilepsia (Epilepsia), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jan; vol 48 (issue 1) : pp 201-4

Dates: Created 2007/01/23; Completed 2007/03/27;

PMID: 17241230, 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
Age Factors
Age of Onset
Child
Child, Preschool
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; physiopathology
Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe - diagnosis; physiopathology; surgery
Female
Functional Laterality - physiology

Humans
Incidence
Intelligence Tests - statistics & numerical data
Male
Mental Retardation - diagnosis; epidemiology; physiopathology
Neuropsychological Tests
Preoperative Care
Prognosis
Temporal Lobe - physiopathology

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.