Cognitive phenotypes in temporal lobe epilepsy

J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2007 Jan;13(1):12-20. doi: 10.1017/S135561770707004X.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine if distinct cognitive phenotypes could be identified in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy patients (n = 96) and healthy controls (n = 82) underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Adjusted (age, gender, and education) test scores for epilepsy subjects were grouped into cognitive domains (intelligence, language, visuoperception, immediate and delayed memory, executive function, and cognitive/psychomotor speed). Cluster analysis revealed three distinct cognitive profiles types: (1) minimally impaired (47% of subjects); (2) memory impaired (24%); and (3) memory, executive, and speed impaired (29%). The three cluster groups exhibited different patterns of results on demographic, clinical epilepsy, brain volumetrics, and cognitive course over a 4-year interval. The specific profile characteristics of the identified cognitive phenotypes are presented and their implications for the investigation of the neurobehavioral complications of epilepsy are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cognition Disorders / classification*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Wechsler Scales