The Neuropsychological and Language Profile of Children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy
- 9 June 2005
- Vol. 46 (6), 924-930
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.62304.x
Abstract
Purpose: Benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE) has an excellent prognosis for seizures, but recent research has raised concerns using cognition as an outcome measure. Methodologic problems related to recruitment bias and assessment processes are evident in previous studies.With well-defined criteria for inclusion and comprehensive assessment, the aim of this study was to define the cognitive profile of children with BRE and to assess the effect of interictal EEG activity. Methods: Patients (n=42) were recruited from six EEG laboratories. TheEEGfeatures analyzed were spike frequency, trains, and laterality. Comprehensive neuropsychological and language assessments were conducted. Group means on cognitive measures were compared with normative means. Tests were correlated with EEG features. Results: The study demonstrated that children with BRE have normal intelligence and language ability. However, a specific pattern of difficulties in memory and phonologic awareness was found. Furthermore, a large proportion of children had disproportionate scores in these areas compared with intellectual and language ability. EEG features were minimally associated with cognitive difficulties, and no correlationwas found with memory indices and tests of phonologic awareness. Conclusions: Some children with BRE have specific difficulties in memory and phonologic processing skills, not explained by interictal activity. We recommend that pediatricians ask about academic performance specifically in areas of prereading, reading, spelling, and memory. If difficulties are suspected, assessment targeting phonologic awareness and memory are recommended, as theymaynot be reflected in overall intellectual and language ability. Difficulties in phonologic awareness affect literacy, and memory problems affect academic performance.7 page(sKeywords
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- A developmental framework for memory rehabilitation in childrenPediatric Rehabilitation, 2004
- Neuropsychological disorders related to interictal epileptic discharges during sleep in benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal or Rolandic spikesDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 2001
- Neuropsychological findings in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikesDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1999
- Cognitive Profiles of Reading-Disabled Children: Comparison of Language Skills in Phonology, Morphology, and SyntaxPsychological Science, 1995
- Evaluation of a program to teach phonemic awareness to young children.Journal of Educational Psychology, 1991
- Developmental aspects of linguistic and mnestic abilities in normal childrenJournal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 1989
- Massive IQ gains in 14 nations: What IQ tests really measure.Psychological Bulletin, 1987
- Use of neuropsychological tests to identify high school students with epilepsy who later demonstrate inadequate performances in life.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1984
- Use of neuropsychological tests to identify high school students with epilepsy who later demonstrate inadequate performances in life.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1984
- Developmental Norms for 15 Neuropsychological Tests Age 6 to 15Cortex, 1969