A Neurodevelopmental Proposal of Age-Related Changes in Cognition and Quantitative MRI in Childhood Onset Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Abstract number :
K.06
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
2811
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
M. Seidenberg, Ph.D., Psychology, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL; B. Hermann, Ph.D., Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; B. Bell, Ph.D., Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; P. Rutecki, MD, Neurology, University of Wisc
RATIONALE: It has become increasingly evident that diffuse and generalized cognitive impairment is frequently observed in people with childhood onset of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). It is unclear whether these diffuse cognitive abnormalities represent the cumulative neurobiological consequences of poorly controlled epilepsy, the static effects associated with the type or timing of the initial insult, or an interaction of the factors associated with the cause and course of epilepsy. We present data comparing the age-related changes in cognition and MRI volumetrics observed in TLE subjects and controls as a means to investigate the effects of chronic epilepsy on cognition and brain structure.
METHODS: Extensive neuropsychological testing (IQ, memory, language, visuoperceptual, problem-solving, motor) and quantitative MRI volumetrics (whole brain) were obtained for a group of 32 childhood onset TLE subjects and 25 controls. The two groups did not differ on age and both groups sampled a broad age range distribution (14-60 years).
RESULTS: Childhood onset TLE subjects showed greater cognitive impairment than controls, and the cognitive vulnerability was most pronounced among older TLE subjects compared to age-matched controls. The impact of age on cognition in TLE was most evident for measures of non-verbal processing and speed-based responses. The TLE group showed significant whole brain volume loss compared to the controls, and the brain volume loss remained relatively constant across the age range studied.
CONCLUSIONS: The observed dissociation of age-related differences between the TLE group and controls in cognition and brain structure is discussed in the context of a neurodevelopmental proposal of cognitive progression in TLE.
Support: NIH RO1-37738.