Review: Cognitive Disorders in Epilepsy I: Clinical Experience, Real-World Evidence and Recommendations

Abstract, originally published in Seizure

This is the first of two narrative reviews on cognitive disorders in epilepsy (companion publication: Cognitive disorders in epilepsy II: Clinical Targets, Indications and Selection of Test Instruments). Its focus is on clinical experience, real-world evidence, and clinical recommendations. Cognitive disorders are a common comorbidity in children and adults with epilepsy. These cognitive disturbances may preceed the onset of seizures and are multifactorial including contributions by pre-existing brain damage, seizures, interictal epileptic discharges, and treatments including medications and surgery. Comorbid cognitive impairments can have a negative impact on the quality of life in people with epilepsy. They are under-identified and frequently not treated. This narrative review discusses these issues from a Comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as ADHD can also contribute to a worse cognitive performance and can benefit from pharmacotherapy with CNS stimulants. Likewise, mood disorders cause a subjective perception of poor memory and attention, which can be reversed with antidepressants of the SSRI family, real-world clinical perspective in children and adults with newly diagnosed and chronic epilepsy. The need for further research to understand and treat these disorders is noted.

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The Mediating Role of Epileptic Seizures, Irritability, and Depression on Quality of Life in People With Epilepsy

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Review: Cross Talk Between Drug-Resistant Epilepsy and the Gut Microbiome