EFFECTS OF TRANSITORY COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT ON PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING OF CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY - A THERAPEUTIC TRIAL

The authors report a trial of the use of anti-epileptic medication to treat possible cognitive deficits due to subclinical epileptiform EEG discharges in 10 children with psychosocial and educational problems a ssociated with epilepsy. Medication intended to suppress the EEG disch arges was added to the children's existing drug regime. In all instanc es, epileptiform activity, assessed by 24-hour periods of ambulatory m onitoring, was reduced on active medication compared with placebo. In general, there was improvement of psychosocial function on active trea tment: eight children improved, there was no change in one and one det eriorated. No psychosocial deterioration attributable to adverse effec ts of the medication was detected in those completing the trial. Despi te possible confounding factors, the findings are in accordance with t he view that subclinical EEG discharges can impair psychosocial functi on, which may be ameliorated by anti-epileptic medication.