Abstract

PIZARRO-CASTELLANOS, Mariel et al. Neurocognitive differences between frontal and temporal partial seizures in childhood. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.4, pp.269-275. ISSN 1665-1146.

Introduction. Objective: The purpose of this clinical trial was to differentiate the neurocognitive performance between frontal and temporal seizures in pediatric epilepsy. This is an important issue related to measure the impact of the different type of seizures in the neurodevelopment of children with epilepsy. Methods. We analyzed patients with partial epilepsy between 6 and 12 years old, both genders, in the Neurology Department of the Hospital Infantil de Mexico. After classifying frontal and temporal epilepsies, neurocognitive, IQ, attention, working memory, executive functions and visuospatial performance tests were applied. Likewise, EEG, neuroimaging, social evaluation and physical examination were performed. Results. Thirty-seven patients both genders (22 males; 15 females) with frontal partial seizures (17) and temporal partial seizures (20) were evaluated. The main neurocognitive differences between these 2 types of epilepsy were IQ (mean 82 in frontal epilepsy and 97 in temporal epilepsy) a higher impact on working memory and visuospatial performance was observed in infants with frontal epilepsy. The patients with temporal epilepsy had more problems in executing attention and long memory tests. Conclusion. Frontal partial seizures had more impact on the neurocognitive abilities than temporal partial seizures in the studied patients. This observation should be taken into account for the early treatment of children with epilepsy.

Keywords : Partial epilepsy; neurocognitive function; frontal seizures; temporal seizures.

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