Longitudinal Assessment of Neuropsychologic and Language Function in Children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy

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. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:518—522; DOI 10.2310/7010.2006.00138).

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Northcott E. , Connolly AM , Berroya A. , et al: The neuropsychological and language profile of children with benign rolandic epilepsy. Epilepsia 2005;46:924—930.

Shankweiler D. , Crain S. , Katz L. , et al: Cognitive profiles of reading-disabled children: Comparison of language skills in phonology, morphology, and syntax . Psychol Sci 1995;6:149—156.

Fastenau PS , Shen J. , Dunn DW , et al: Neuropsychological predictors of academic underachievement in pediatric epilepsy: Moderating roles of demographic, seizure, and psychosocial variables. Epilepsia 2004;45:1261—1272.

Massa R. , de Saint-Martin A. , Carcangiu R. , et al: EEG criteria predictive of complicated evolution in idiopathic rolandic epilepsy. Neurology 2001;57:1071—1079.

D'Alessandro P. , Piccirilli M. , Tiacci C. , et al: Neuropsychological features of benign partial epilepsy in children. Ital J Neurol Sci 1990;11:265—269.

Deonna T. , Zesiger P. , Davidoff V. , et al: Benign partial epilepsy of childhood: A longitudinal neuropsychological and EEG study of cognitive function. Dev Med Child Neurol 2000;42:595—603.

Lindgren A. , Kihlgren M. , Melin L. , et al: Development of cognitive functions in children with rolandic epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2004;5:903—910.

Baglietto MG , Battaglia FM , Nobili L. , et al: Neuropsychological disorders related to interictal epileptic discharges during sleep in benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal or rolandic spikes. Dev Med Child Neurol 2001;43:407—412.

Metz-Lutz MN , Kleitz C. , de Saint Martin A. , et al: Cognitive development in benign focal epilepsies of childhood. Dev Neurosci 1999;21:182—190.

10.

Commission on Classification and Terminology of the ILAE : Proposal for a revised classification of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes. Epilepsia 1989;30:389—399.

11.

Berroya AG , Bleasel AF , Stevermuer TL , et al: Spike morphology, location and frequency in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. J Child Neurol 2005;20:188—194.

12.

Wechsler D. : Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd ed. San Antonio, TX, The Psychological Corporation , 1992.

13.

Sheslow D. , Adams W. : Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning. Wilmington, Delaware, Jastak Associates, Inc., 1990.

14.

The Psychological Corporation : Wechsler Individual Achievement Test. San Antonio, TX, The Psychological Corporation, 1992.

15.

Spreen O. , Gaddes WH : Developmental norms for 15 neuropsychological tests age 6 to 15. Cortex 1969;5:170—191.

16.

Gaddes WH , Crockett DJ : The Spreen-Benton Aphasia Tests, normative data as a measure of normal language development. Brain Lang 1975;2:257—280.

17.

Halperin JM , Healey JM , Zeitchik E. , et al: Developmental aspects of linguistic and amnestic abilities in normal children. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 1989;11:518—528.

18.

Kolb B. , Whishaw IQ : Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, 3rd ed. New York, W. H. Freeman/ Times Books/ Henry Holt & Co., 1990.

19.

Semel E. , Wiig EH , Secord WA : Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, 3rd ed. San Antonio, TX, The Psychological Corporation, 1995.

20.

Dunn LM , Dunn LM : Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, 3rd ed. Circle Pines, MN, American Guidance Service, Inc, 1997.

21.

Kaplan E. , Goodglass H. , Weintraub S. : Boston Naming Test. Media, PA, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 1983.

22.

Cormack RA , Worrall LE : Australian items and normative data for Australian children on the Boston Naming Test. Aust J Hum Commun Disord 1994 ;22:74—84.

23.

Dodd B. , Holm A. , Oerlemans M. , McCormick M. : Queensland University Inventory of Literacy. St Lucia, QLD, The University of Queensland, 1996.

24.

Wiig EH , Secord W. : Test of Language Competence—Expanded Edition: Administration Manual Level 1 and Level 2. San Antonio, TX, The Psychological Corporation, 1995.

25.

Hayden D. , Square P. : Verbal Motor Production Assessment for Children: Examiner's Manual . San Antonio, TX, The Psychological Corporation, 1999.

26.

Busch R. , Booth J. , McBride A. , et al: Role of executive functioning in verbal and visual memory. Neuropsychology 2005;19:171—180.

27.

Kaga M. : Language disorders in Landau-Kleffner syndrome. J Child Neurol 1999;14:118—122.

28.

Stefanatos GA , Kinsbourne M. , Wasserstein J. : Acquired epileptiform aphasia: A dimensional view of Landau-Kleffner syndrome and the relation to regressive autistic spectrum disorders. Child Neuropsychol 2002;8:195—228.