Troy J. Cook December 10, 2013

Purpose was to search for correlation between cognition and behavior in children with epilepsy Variables that factored in the studies used Seizure factors Seizure types IQ Demographic Age of onset

Major variables existed in prior research conducted Problem began with wellness of own personal situation, my child Felt it was best to look into a possible explanation into my son’s current behavior Not only does such research help parents, it can also be a useful tool for teacher and staff in the classroom Based on the results presented in the review of literature, my son’s behavior could very well be due to his epilepsy disorder To advance knowledge in this area future studies conducted need to be based on the same variables across the board, thus, allowing a more solid set of study results

(Caplan, 2004) examined the role of cognition, language, seizure-related, and demographic variables 101 children with complex partial seizures (CPS) 102 normal participants Ages 5.1 to 16.9 years old Structured psychiatric interview Cognitive and language testing Patients with CPS had significantly more deficits in psychopathology, linguistic, and cognitive areas

(Schoenfeld, 99) examined neuropsychological and behavioral status 57 children with (CPS) Ages 7 to 16 years old 27 Sibling control children of the same age Epilepsy had significant effect on cognitive and behavioral measures Number of seizures in prior year is strongest predictor of difficulties in behavior Epilepsy had a significant role on cognitive and behavioral issues

(Bailet, 99) assess neurocognitive and behavioral performance in children to identify learning or behavioral problems 74 children with epilepsy 23 siblings without epilepsy 13 children with migraine Ages 8 to 13 years old with IQs of >/= to 80 Completed neurocognitive test battery annually Ongoing risk for learning disabilities exists when compared with sibling control children.

(Caplan, 98) focused greatly on psychopathology with a much more narrow focus 60 children with (CPS) 40 children with primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) 48 control children Ages 5 to 16 years old Structured psychiatric interviews administered While cognitive deficits are subtle, behavioral disturbance may not be seizure-related

(Herman, 02) characterized neurodevelopmental correlates of childhood-onset temporal lobe epilepsy on brain structure and cognition compared with late- onset chronic temporal lobe epilepsy and healthy controls 62 healthy controls 37 early onset 16 late onset Although this study looked more at the medical side of childhood epilepsy, evidence supported poorer cognitive issues

(Oostrom, 03) study was conducted to understand early education in regards to behavioral tendencies in children with straight epilepsy 51 Outpatient schoolchildren with newly diagnosed epilepsy 48 sex-matched classmates All children underwent neuropsychological assessment 3 times within first year after diagnoses In earliest stages of epilepsy children become susceptible to cognitive and behavioral deficiencies with contextual differences being the major risk factors

Unlike participants in each of the prior studies researcher is not of the same age, education, or many other differences Due to the nature of this study, researcher varies from participants in extreme ways. Bias in this study for researcher comes from personal relationship experiences with the disorder Insensitivity in the past and overgeneralization were influenced drastically.

For the purpose of this study variables were outside the interest of the researcher at this point. If given the time or resources to improve this study, researcher recommends keeping variables in the control groups closer together allowing for better results

Bailet, L. L., & Turk, W. R. (2000). The Impact of Childhood Epilepsy on Neurocognitive and Behavioral Performance: A Prospective Longitudinal Study. Epilepsia, Caplan, R., Arbelle, S., Magharious, W., Guthrie, D., Komo, S., Shields, W. D.,... Hansen, R. (1998). Psychopathology in pediatric complex partial and primary generalized epilepsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, Caplan, R., Siddarth, P., Gurbani, S., Ott, D., Sankar, R., & Shields, W. D. (2004). Psychopathology and Pediatric Complex Partial Seizures: Seizure-related, Cognitive, and Linguistic Variables. Epilepsia, Hermann, B., Seidenberg, M., Bell, B., Rutecki, P., Sheth, R., Ruggles, K.,... Magnotta, V. (2002). The Neurodevelopmental Impact of Childhood-onset Temporal Lobe Epilepsy on Brain Structure and Function. Epilepsia, Oostrom, K., Smeets-Schouten, A., Kruitwagen, C., Peters, A., & Jennekens-Schinkel, A. (2003). Not only a matter of epilepsy: early problems of cognition and behavior in children with "epilepsy only" -- a prospective, longitudinal, controlled study starting at diagnosis. Pediatrics, Schoenfeld, J., Seidenberg, M., Woodard, A., Hecox, K., Inglese, C., Mack, K., & Hermann, B. (1999). Neuropsychological and behavioral status of children with complex partial seizures. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology,