EFFECT OF SEIZURES AND EPILEPTIFORM DISCHARGES ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Several relationships have been obtained between cognitive impairment and epilepsy-related or treatment-related factors. One of these factor s is treatment-related: the central cognitive side effects of the anti epileptic drugs (AEDs). The second and third factors are disease-relat ed factors, i.e., the effect of the seizures and underlying epileptifo rm discharges in the brain and the localization of the epileptogenic f ocus in specific areas of the brain. Although most cognitive problems have a multifactorial origin and often several factors combined are re sponsible for the ''make-up'' of a cognitive problem, we have attempte d to isolate one factor: the effect of seizures and epileptiform EEG d ischarges on cognitive function. Several studies show the impact of ic tal activity, but special attention is required for the postictal and interictal effects of epilepsy on cognitive functions. This may explai n substantial cognitive impairments in children with subclinical epile ptiform discharges or with infrequent subtle seizures.