Neuropsychological effects of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs

Epilepsy and its treatment can have deleterious cognitive and behavioural c onsequences. Affected individuals have a higher prevalence of neuropsycholo gical dysfunction than the general population because of complex interactio ns among several multifaceted and overlapping influences-for example, under lying neuropathologies, Ictal and interictal neuronal discharges, a plethor a of antlepileptic drugs, and numerous psychosocial issues. Research into t he clinical relevance of these factors has been dogged by a range of method ological pitfalls Including lack of standardisation of neuropsychological t ests, small numbers and multiple testing, and statistical failure to apprec iate differential effects of interactive elements In Individual patients. A lthough antiepileptic drugs can impair neuropsychological functioning, thei r positive effect on seizure control might improve cognition and behaviour. Each person should be assessed individually with respect to factors unique to his or her seizure disorder and its treatment.