Memory in children with symptomatic temporal lobe epilepsy.

In children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), memory deficit is not so well understood as it is in adults. The aim of this study was to identify and describe memory deficits in children with symptomatic TLE, and to verify the influence of epilepsy variables on memory. We evaluated 25 children with TLE diagnosed on clinical, EEG and MRI findings. Twenty-five normal children were compared with the patients. All children underwent a neuropsychological assessment to estimate intellectual level, attention, visual perception, handedness, and memory processes (verbal and visual: short-term memory, learning, and delayed recall). The results allowed us to conclude: besides memory deficits, other neuropsychological disturbances may be found in children with TLE such as attention, even in the absence of overall cognitive deficit; the earlier onset of epilepsy, the worse verbal stimuli storage; mesial lesions correlate with impairment in memory storage stage while neocortical temporal lesions correlate with retrieval deficits.

Memory in children with symptomatic temporal lobe epilepsy / Memoria em criancas com epilepsia de lobo temporal sintomatica

In children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), memory deficit is not so well understood as it is in adults. The aim of this study was to identify and describe memory deficits in children with symptomatic TLE, and to verify the influence of epilepsy variables on memory. We evaluated 25 children with TLE diagnosed on clinical, EEG and MRI findings. Twenty-five normal children were compared with the patients. All children underwent a neuropsychological assessment to estimate intellectual level, attention, visual perception, handedness, and memory processes (verbal and visual: short-term memory, learning, and delayed recall). The results allowed us to conclude: besides memory deficits, other neuropsychological disturbances may be found in children with TLE such as attention, even in the absence of overall cognitive deficit; the earlier onset of epilepsy, the worse verbal stimuli storage; mesial lesions correlate with impairment in memory storage stage while neocortical temporal lesions correlate with retrieval deficits.

Em crianças com epilepsia de lobo temporal (ELT) os problemas de memória não são tão bem compreendidos como em adultos. O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar e descrever déficits de memória em crianças com ELT sintomática e verificar a influência de variáveis da epilepsia na memória. Avaliamos 25 crianças com ELT com diagnóstico baseado em aspectos clínicos, eletrencefalográficos e de neuroimagem. Vinte e cinco crianças normais foram comparadas com os pacientes. Todas as crianças foram submetidas à avaliação neuropsicológica para estimar nível intelectual, atenção, percepção visual, dominância manual, e processos de memória (verbal e visual: memória a curto prazo, aprendizado e recuperação tardia). Os resultados nos permitiram concluir que: além de déficit de memória, outros distúrbios neuropsicológicos podem ser encontrados em crianças com ELT, tais como déficit de atenção, mesmo na ausência de déficit cognitivo global; quanto mais precoce o início da epilepsia, pior o armazenamento verbal; lesões mesiais se correlacionam com prejuízo no armazenamento de memória enquanto lesões temporais neocorticais se correlacionam com prejuízos de evocação.

Distribution of regional gray matter abnormalities in a pediatric population with temporal lobe epilepsy and correlation with neuropsychological performance.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of the work described here were to determine if hippocampal and extrahippocampal atrophy in children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) follows a pattern similar to that in adult patients, and to assess the clinical and neuropsychological relevance of regional brain atrophy in pediatric TLE. METHODS: Children with symptomatic TLE (n=14: 9 with mesial TLE due to hippocampal atrophy and 5 with TLE due to neocortical lesions), healthy children (n=14), and 9 adults with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) were compared using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The children underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. RESULTS: Children with MTLE with unilateral hippocampal atrophy (n=9) exhibited a significant reduction in gray matter in the hippocampus ipsilateral to the seizure origin and significant atrophy in the ipsilateral cingulate gyrus and contralateral middle frontal lobe. Children with TLE (n=14) exhibited a significant reduction in the gray matter of the ipsilateral hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus. There was a correlation between gray matter volume in children with TLE and scores on several neuropsychological tests. Atrophy in pediatric patients with MTLE was less extensive than that in adults, and involved the hippocampi and the frontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to adult MTLE, pediatric MTLE is associated with hippocampal and extrahippocampal cell loss. However, children display less intense quantifiable gray matter atrophy, which affects predominantly frontal lobe areas. There was a significant association between volume of gray matter in medial temporal and frontal regions and scores on neuropsychological tests. In childhood, TLE and the concomitant cognitive/behavior disturbances are the result of a damaged neural network.

Frontal lobe dysfunction in children with temporal lobe epilepsy.

There is evidence that adults with temporal lobe epilepsy present executive impairments. However, there is limited information in children, especially when using a comprehensive neuropsychologic battery. We aimed to: 1) investigate the presence and severity of executive dysfunctions in children with temporal lobe epilepsy, and 2) determine the implications of clinical variables (including etiology) in the occurrence and severity of executive dysfunction, using eight paradigms. Thirty-one children with temporal lobe epilepsy were evaluated and compared with 21 age-matched controls. Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy had significantly worse performance than controls. Intragroup analysis indicated that patients with symptomatic epilepsy were more impaired than those with cryptogenic epilepsy. In the former group, patients with mesial lesions performed worse than those with lateral lesions. Regarding the severity of executive dysfunction, 83.87% manifested severe to moderate executive impairment. Early age of onset, longer duration of epilepsy, and use of polytherapy were correlated with worse executive dysfunction. These findings indicated the presence of frontal lobe dysfunction in children with temporal lobe epilepsy, with worse performance in those with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, early onset, longer duration of disease, and use of polytherapy. Our study corroborates the hypothesis that temporal lobe epileptogenic activity affects the extratemporal regions that mediate attentional and executive functions.

Temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood: comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

The neuropsychological features of children with temporal lobe epilepsy are not yet well defined. The aim of this study was to identify the neuropsychological deficits in children with temporal lobe epilepsy. We evaluated 25 patients and compared them with 25 normal children. All children underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. We found a significant difference in favor of the control group in the following measures: IQ; forward digit; Trail Making Test for Children B; Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; block design; Boston naming test, verbal fluency; and Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning verbal learning, visual learning, verbal memory, visual memory, delayed recall of verbal learning, delayed recall of stories, and recognition of stories. Our findings show that children with temporal lobe epilepsy present with several neuropsychological deficits, despite normal IQ. These findings point to a dysfunction of cerebral areas other than temporal lobe, particularly the frontal lobes.

Interictal EEG in temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood.

The authors clarified the value of interictal discharges and verified which extratemporal regions may also show epileptiform activity in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in childhood. Thirty consecutive patients aged 3 to 18 years (mean age = 12.16 years; 16 male) with TLE associated with hippocampal atrophy were studied. Each patient had 1 to 15 interictal EEG recordings (mean: 5.6; total = 192 EEGs). Video-EEG monitoring was performed in 20 patients. All patients had MRI. The findings were compared with a control group of 53 consecutive TLE adult outpatients with hippocampal atrophy. Each adult patient underwent 3 to 21 routine EEGs (mean: 10.67; total = 566). Interictal EEGs of children with TLE showed extratemporal epileptiform discharges more frequently than EEGs of adults with TLE. Frontal, parietal, and occipital discharges were more frequently seen in children (P < 0.05). These results suggest a close interaction between temporal and other cerebral regions in children with epilepsy and provide further evidence of the existence of neural networks.

Interictal electroencephalographic findings in children and adults with temporal lobe tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical and interictal electroencephalographic aspects of children and adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) due to tumoral lesions. METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical and interictal electroencephalographic aspects of 16 children (64 exams) and 12 adults (78 exams) with lesions in the temporal lobe. RESULTS: The most frequent etiologies were gangliogliomas, DNETs, followed by astrocytomas. Auras occurred in both groups, the most common being epigastric sensation. Other findings such as myoclonias, behavioral arrest and vomiting were more frequent in children. Temporal epileptiform and nonepileptiform activities, mostly unilateral, were found in both groups. Extratemporal epileptiform activities (frontal, parietal, central, occipital and generalized) were also found equally in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our data show that children and adults with TLE due to expansive lesions present with similar EEG findings.

Interictal electroencephalographic findings in children and adults with temporal lobe tumors

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os aspectos eletrencefalográficos interictais e clínicos de crianças e adultos com epilepsia do lobo temporal secundária a lesões tumorais. MÉTODO: Análise retrospectiva dos aspectos clínicos e eletrencefalográficos interictais de 16 crianças (64 exames) e 12 adultos (78 exames) com lesões tumorais no lobo temporal. RESULTADOS: As etiologias mais freqüentes foram gangliogliomas e DNETs, seguidos por astrocitomas. As auras ocorreram em ambos os grupos, sendo a sensação epigástrica a mais comum. Outros achados tais como mioclonias, parada comportamental e vômitos foram mais freqüentes em crianças. Atividade epileptiforme e não epileptiforme temporal, principalmente unilateral, foi encontrada nos dois grupos. Atividade epileptiforme extra temporal (frontal, parietal, central, occipital e generalizada) foi também igualmente detectada em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Crianças e adultos com epilepsia do lobo temporal secundária a lesões tumorais apresentam padrão eletrencefalográfico semelhante.

Memory impairment in children with temporal lobe epilepsy: a review

The authors present a review article on memory aspects of temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood. We performed a search in the literature. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)in childhood present with great clinical, electroencephalographical and etiological diversity. The neuropsychological features in children with TLE are not well-defined yet. The relationship between the lateralization of the lesion and performance on memory tests is not establihed. The studies performed in children with TLE show controversy. This finding may be use due to the etiological, clinical and electroencephalographic diversity seen in such group of children. Besides, most studies use different assessments. Therefore, it is clear that more studies are necessary to elucidate which neurophysiological deficits occur in children with TLE

Temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood: review article

The authors present a review article on temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood. We performed a search in the literature. The main etiologies of temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood are developental tumors and focal cortical displasia, besides temporal medial sclerosis. The clinical features may be variable particularly in children younger than six years of age. Epilepsy may present with generalized seizures. Electroencephalographic findings are also variable and show a functional dysfunction of several brain areas besides temporal lobes, especially frontal lobes. Recent advances demonstrate that temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood present with great etiologic, clinical and electroencephalographic diversity

[Efficacy and tolerability of vigabatrin in West syndrome]. / Avaliação da eficácia e tolerabilidade da vigabatrina na síndrome de West.

UNLABELLED: West syndrome (WS) is a severe epileptic encephalopathy of childhood, characterized by spasms, developmental deterioration and hipsarhythymia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of vigabatrin (VGB) in the treatment of WS. METHOD: We evaluated every patient diagnosed with WS seen at the pediatric epilepsy clinic and exposed to VGB. Patients were interviewed according to a semistructured questionnaire and we analyzed gender, age, etiology (cryptogenic or symptomatic), associated diseases, age of seizure onset, neuroimaging findings, EEG prior and after VGB, use of other antiepileptic drugs, time for seizure control, electroretinogram, visual complaints, adverse events and family history of epilepsy. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were evaluated, 16 boys, ages ranging from 1.25 years to 11.5 years (mean=5y3m). Sixteen (69.5%) patients were seizure free, five (22%) had partial seizure control and in two (8.5%) there was no improvement. Only one patient presented gabaergic retinopathy. Six (26%) patients presented adverse events: somnolence, aggressivity or retinopathy. Patients with seizure onset after 6 months of age presented better results after VGB introduction (p<0.05). There was no difference in seizure control according to duration of epilepsy before VGB treatment or etiology of the seizures (p>0.05). After VGB, no patient presented hipsarrhythymia and 50% had a normal EEG. CONCLUSION: Although VGB may be associated with serious adverse events such as gabaergic retinopathy, our results show that it should be considered in the treatment of WS.

Avaliação da eficácia e tolerabilidade da vigabatrina na síndrome de West / Efficacy and tolerability of vigabatrin in West syndrome

A síndrome de West (SW) é uma epilepsia grave específica da infância, que se caracteriza pela tríade: espasmos em salvas, deterioração ou atraso neuropsicomotor e hipsarritmia ao eletrencefalograma. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia e segurança da vigabatrina (VGB) no tratamento da SW. MÉTODO: Foram sujeitos do estudo todos os pacientes com diagnóstico estabelecido de SW, que freqüentam ou freqüentaram o Ambulatório de Epilepsia Infantil do Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP, usam ou usaram VGB na tentativa de controlar as crises. Avaliamos sexo, idade, etiologia (sintomática ou criptogênica), doença(s) associada(s), idade do início dos espasmos, freqüência das crises antes e após o uso de VGB, achados de neuroimagem, EEG antes e depois do uso de VGB, medicações associadas, tempo para controle das crises, eletroretinograma, queixa visual após uso de VGB, efeitos adversos e história familial de epilepsia. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 23 pacientes, sendo 16 do sexo masculino. A idade variou entre 1ano e 3 meses a 11 anos e 5meses (média = 5anos e 3meses). Dezesseis (69,5 por cento) pacientes apresentaram controle completo das crises, 5 (22 por cento) tiveram controle parcial e em 2 (8,5 por cento) pacientes os espasmos não foram controlados. Apenas uma paciente teve retinopatia gabaérgica. Seis pacientes (26 por cento) apresentaram eventos adversos - sonolência, agressividade ou retinopatia. Os pacientes com o início da SW após 6 meses de idade apresentaram melhor resposta à VGB (p<0,05). Não houve diferença na resposta ao tratamento quanto ao tempo de introdução da VGB ou à etiologia (p>0,05). Após o tratamento com VGB, nenhum EEG apresentou hipsarritmia e 50 por cento normalizaram. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do risco de retinopatia gabaérgica, os resultados acima mostram que o uso da VGB no controle dos espasmos infantis se justifica em pacientes com SW.

Myoclonic seizures in symptomatic temporal lobe epilepsy of childhood

Generalized epileptic manifestations may occur in symptomatic focal epilepsies in children, particularly in infants and pre-school children. Our aim here is to report two patients with myoclonic seizures associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. Two children with tumor in temporal lobe presented myoclonic seizures or spasms since infancy besides other types of seizures. Our findings support the idea that myoclonic seizures may be generalized manifestations of focal insults to the CNS, and this pattern may be an age-dependent specific response of a developing brain to a severe insult

Clinical, electroencephalographic, and behavioral features of temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood.

This study describes the clinical, electroencephalographic, and behavioral features of 36 children with temporal lobe epilepsy. Patients were divided into two groups: group A, with 6 patients (< 6 years), and group B, with 30 patients (6-18 years). Statistical analysis was performed considering the significance level of .05. Regarding the clinical features of the focal seizures, motor components were more frequently seen in children younger than 6 years of age (P < .01), whereas automatisms were more frequently seen in patients older than 6 years of age (P < .05). Associated myoclonic seizures were more frequent in the younger age group (P < .01). Behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness and speech delay were more common in the younger age group (P < .05). Temporal lobe epilepsy in children younger than 6 years of age is more frequently associated with motor components, myoclonic seizures, behavioral disorders, and speech delay. Conversely, temporal lobe epilepsy in older patients has frequent automatisms.

Abnormal behavior in children with temporal lobe epilepsy and ganglioglioma.

Temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood is characterized by great clinical, electroencephalographic, and etiological diversity. The prognosis after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery in childhood is usually good, with most patients achieving complete seizure control. However, in some children behavior deteriorates postoperatively. We report two girls (2 and 6 years of age) with refractory seizures due to temporal lobe ganglioglioma. They exhibited aggression and hyperactivity since the beginning of their epilepsy. In both patients, behavioral disturbances worsened postoperatively, despite complete seizure control. Patients and parents should be advised about possible behavioral disturbances after epilepsy surgery, especially in the presence of a temporal lobe developmental tumor, even when seizure control is achieved postoperatively.

Recurrent abdominal pain: when should an epileptic seizure be suspected?

Recurrent episodes of abdominal pain are common in childhood. Among the diagnostic possibilities are migraine and abdominal epilepsy (AE). AE is an infrequent syndrome with paroxystic episodes of abdominal pain, awareness disturbance, EEG abnormalities and positive results with the introduction of antiepileptic drugs. We present one 6 year-old girl who had short episodes of abdominal pain since the age of 4. The pain was followed by cry, fear and occasionally secondary generalization. MRI showed tumor in the left temporal region. As a differential diagnosis, we report a 10 year-old boy who had long episodes of abdominal pain accompanied by blurring of vision, vertigo, gait ataxia, dysarthria, acroparesthesias and vomiting. He received the diagnosis of basilar migraine. In our opinion, AE is part of a large group (partial epilepsies) and does not require a special classification. Pediatric neurologists must be aware of these two entities that may cause abdominal pain.

Recurrent abdominal pain: when an epileptic seizure should be suspected?

Recurrent episodes of abdominal pain are common in childhood. Among the diagnostic possibilities are migraine and abdominal epilepsy (AE). AE is an infrequent syndrome with paroxystic episodes of abdominal pain, awareness disturbance, EEG abnormalities and positive results with the introduction of antiepileptic drugs. We present one 6 year-old girl who had short episodes of abdominal pain since the age of 4. The pain was followed by cry, fear and occasionally secondary generalization. MRI showed tumor in the left temporal region. As a differential diagnosis, we report a 10 year-old boy who had long episodes of abdominal pain accompanied by blurring of vision, vertigo, gait ataxia, dysarthria, acroparesthesias and vomiting. He received the diagnosis of basilar migraine. In our opinion, AE is part of a large group (partial epilepsies) and does not require a special classification. Pediatric neurologists must be aware of these two entities that may cause abdominal pain