Neuropsychological assessment in pediatric epilepsy surgery: A French procedure consensus.

Neuropsychological assessment is a mandatory part of the pre- and post-operative evaluation in pediatric epilepsy surgery. The neuropsychology task force of the ILAE - French Chapter aims to define a neuropsychological procedure consensus based on literature review and adapted for French practice. They performed a systematic review of the literature published between 1950 and 2023 on cognitive evaluation of individuals undergoing presurgical work-up and post-surgery follow-up and focused on the pediatric population aged 6-16. They classified publications listed in the PubMed database according to their level of scientific evidence. The systematic literature review revealed no study with high statistical power and only four studies using neuropsychological scales in their French version. Afterwards, the experts defined a neuropsychological consensus strategy in pediatric epilepsy surgery according to the psychometric determinants of cognitive tests, specificity of epilepsy, surgery context, French culture and literature reports. A common French neuropsychological procedure dedicated to pediatric epilepsy surgery is now available. This procedure could serve as a guide for the pre- and post-surgical work-up in French centers with pediatric epilepsy surgery programs. The main goal is to anticipate the functional risks of surgery, to support the postoperative outcome beyond the seizure-related one, while taking into consideration the plasticity and vulnerability of the immature brain and allowing the possibility of collaborative studies.

Depression could modulate neuropsychological status in epilepsy.

While cognition and depression have often been studied in patients with epilepsy, only a few studies have so far attempted to link these two domains, and more specifically to investigate the specific impact of depression on cognition in epilepsy. In this review, we performed an extensive search of the literature database to provide a better understanding of this subject. Using several inclusion criteria (adult population, quantitative depression/neuropsychological assessment, statistical analyses of the impact of depression on cognitive scores, patients with epilepsy (PWE) and no other neurological disease, and studies including at least 20 patients), we identified 20 articles (out of 712 search results) that investigated both depression and cognition in PWE. Their results were summarized using a narrative and descriptive approach. This review highlights a variable impact of depression on cognition in PWE, depending on the laterality of the seizure onset zone, the type of epilepsy and the surgical context. We emphasize the need for a systematic depression assessment in these patients, especially since depressed PWE will benefit from prompt and appropriate care to help them avoid cognitive decline, particularly in a surgical context.

Long-term cognitive outcomes in patient with epilepsy.

In contrast to short-term cognitive outcomes, long-term cognitive outcomes (over 5 years) has been scarcely assessed so far. Yet, predicting long-term outcomes at any time point of the epilepsy, from initial diagnosis, to medically intractability is very important for therapeutic decision-making, patient information, and orientation. Assessing long-term cognitive outcomes in patients with epilepsy would ideally require longitudinal studies and a comparison with a healthy controls group. This issue has been addressed extensively, but with controversial results. However, there is a general consensus about the fact that cognitive outcome is not the same in all groups of patients with epilepsy. Possible prognostic factors include age at onset, duration of epilepsy, syndrome and etiology, seizure outcome and therapeutics. The multiplicity of factors makes it very difficult to assess their relative weight in individuals. Although long-term cognitive outcome studies are scarce, this issue has been specifically studied in newly diagnosed epilepsies and in focal drug-resistant epilepsies. In the first clinical setting, i.e. newly diagnosed epilepsy, it appears that cognitive deficits are already present at epilepsy onset in a significant proportion of patients but seem to remain stable over time. In focal drug-resistant epilepsies, cognitive deficits (mainly verbal memory) were generally shown to remain stable provided that seizures were controlled either by medication or by surgery. Beyond the possible correlation between seizure and cognitive outcome, no causal link however has been demonstrated between these two important outcomes.

French neuropsychological procedure consensus in epilepsy surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychological assessment is an integral component of the surgical procedure in patients with epilepsy. As no French consensus for neuropsychological assessment was available, the main goal of this work was to define French neuropsychological procedure consensus in regard to literature review. METHOD: A panel of expert in neuropsychology was created within the framework of the French League Against Epilepsy. A systematic search of publications from 1950 to 2017 listed in PubMed database was conducted leading to a classification of articles according to their level of scientific evidence. French neuropsychological procedure consensus was then carried out with an expert panel of expert. RESULTS: Low scientific evidence of neuropsychological data was reported. A panel of expert proposed a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment procedure including the exploration of intellectual efficiency, long-term memory, short-term and working memory, attention, executive functions, processing speed and motor skills, language, visual processing, praxis, psychobehavioral, and social cognition. DISCUSSION: A common procedure for assessing cognitive and psychobehavioral function is now available in patients with epilepsy undergoing surgical evaluation have been established, they may help to improve the quality of care and the patient experience. This work highlights the need of furthers investigations and the necessity to develop specific tools with normative data.

Attention disorders in adults with epilepsy. Determinants and therapeutic strategies.

Cognitive consequences in epilepsy are often described in the following domains: verbal memory, language, executive functions, and attention. Attention is involved in all cognitive activities, and attention disorders (AD) are reported in patients with various neurological diseases. This paper proposes to define the concept of AD and its assessment, to consider their determinants in epilepsy and potential therapies (drug or not). ADs are reported in new onset epilepsy, generalized epilepsy of presumed genetic origin, and in focal epilepsy. In focal epilepsy, alertness and divided attention impairment are observed and seem to improve after successful curative surgery. Additional studies are needed to assess the prevalence and nature of AD related to status epilepticus. In the field of therapeutic strategies, anti-epileptic drugs show an impact on AD. Effects of antidepressive drug therapy are not reported, as well as psychotherapy. Cognitive rehabilitation on AD is a promising therapeutic intervention but specific studies are needed to assess its efficacy.

Cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive impairments are frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, most studies about efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation interventions have been criticized in terms of methods and/or design. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in MS patients with a cognitive intervention (ProCogSEP* program), compared to a control intervention (discussion program). Twenty MS patients have completed this simple blind study: 10 patients followed 13 sessions (2 hours) of the ProCog-SEP(1) program. Ten other patients followed 13 sessions (2 hours) of a discussion program (Control Group). All patients underwent neuropsychological assessment, before and after their program, in order to evaluate cognitive functions. Two neuropsychologists respectively assessed the patients and conducted the group sessions. Compared to its own baseline, ProCog-SEP Group show improvements in verbal memory [free recall (p = .02), learning (p = .002)], in visual memory [free (p = .05) and delayed recall (p = .007)], in working-memory (p = .03), in verbal fluency (p = .05) and in language (p = .01). Inter group analysis show a benefit of cognitive program mainly in verbal and visual memory, and in verbal fluencies. These results support the interest of a cognitive therapeutic management of MS patients.

Verbal episodic memory in 426 multiple sclerosis patients: impairment in encoding, retrieval or both?

Episodic memory is frequently impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients but the exact nature of the disorder is controversial. It was initially thought to be due to a retrieval deficit but some studies have demonstrated an encoding deficit, which could be linked to a slowing of information processing speed or to a deficit in elaboration of strategies. The main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and the nature of verbal episodic memory (VEM) impairment in MS patients. We retrieved memory performances of 426 patients [314 F-112 M; mean age: 46.1 years; median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score: 3.1] from a neuropsychological data base. VEM was assessed using the 16 words RL-RI 16 test. 66% MS patients present at least one recall impaired in VEM (37.2% from 2 to 5 recall). 14.2% MS patients present an impairment in encoding phase. We observed that 5% of patients presented recognition difficulties. Correlations were observed between VEM performances and EDSS, and disease duration but no group effect (ANOVA) is observed between form of MS and VEM performances. These results confirm the high prevalence of VEM impairment in MS patients. Deficits affect mainly information retrieval in early stage MS patients and are then linked to encoding as disability increases. Storage disorders are infrequent, so cognitive rehabilitation with mental imaging could be effective in MS patients.

[Working memory in multiple sclerosis: a review]. / La mémoire de travail dans la sclérose en plaques: revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Impairment of working memory (WM) is frequently reported in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, the various methodologies used, as well as the populations selected for study, hinder the interpretation of results. The aim of this study is to propose a review about WM in MS. METHOD: Twenty studies have presented results on WM with neuropsychological assessment. RESULTS: All studies conclude that WM is impaired in MS. Reduced processing speed would be central, with major impact on WM performance. According to Baddeley's model, difficulties may be located at the level of the central executive. MS patients would be sensitive to tasks with a high cognitive load. However, performances seem to become better when the processing speed is adapted. Explanatory models relating to this kind of impairment have been proposed from imaging studies. Compensation could mask deficits in WM at the early stage of the disease, but would become blurred with advancing illness and increasing load required for the task. CONCLUSIONS/PROSPECTS: In order to assess WM, adapted tools should be proposed to MS patients. Focus should be placed on processing speed. Further studies are needed, for instance to examine the dissociation of the processes operating within the central executive as described in Miyake's model. Imaging investigations have provided essential data helpful for understanding compensation mechanisms. These data should be useful for developing adapted remediation plans to compensate for the crippling impairment observed in everyday life.

Epilepsy surgery for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy in over-50 year-olds: Seizure outcome, surgical complications and neuropsychological outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery is an effective treatment for drug-resistant temporal-lobe epilepsy (TLE), but is still underutilized for older patients because of a perceived higher rate of perioperative complications, cognitive decline and worse seizure outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively screened all patients operated on in our institution for drug-resistant TLE between 2007 and 2019. Data of patients aged ≥50 years versus <50 years at surgery were compared. The primary endpoint was freedom from disabling seizure (Engel I) at 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: In patients aged ≥50 years (n=19), mean age at surgery was 54.9 years and mean disease duration was 36.6 years. At 2 years postoperatively, rates of Engel I seizure outcome were not significantly different between the two groups (73.9% in the <50 years group versus 94.4% in the ≥50 years group). Although surgical complications were significantly (47.4%) in the older patients, neurological deficit was permanent in only 5.3% of cases. At 1 year postoperatively, neuropsychological outcome did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged ≥50 years had an excellent seizure outcome at 2 years postoperatively. Early postoperative complications were more frequent in patients aged ≥50 years but were mostly transient. Cognitive outcome was similar to that in younger patients. These findings strongly suggest that age ≥50 years should not be an exclusion criterion for resective epilepsy surgery in patients with drug-resistant TLE.

[Cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: a review of the literature]. / Remédiation cognitive dans la sclérose en plaques: revue de la litérature.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment is now well-known in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, few rehabilitation interventions are proposed or really efficient. OBJECTIVES: To present a review of cognitive rehabilitation intervention research conducted in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), regarding different findings about episodic memory, working memory, attention and executive function disorders in MS. DATA SOURCES: A search of Medline (yield 20 papers) and of PsychInfo (yield 1 article), using combinations of the following terms: cognitive rehabilitation, multiple sclerosis, cognitive therapy, neuropsychological rehabilitation, in the title or in the abstract, from 1960 to March 2010, excluding animal studies. RESULTS: Episodic memory rehabilitation studies appear to be promising. Programs on working memory, attention and executive functions are in the very early phases. CONCLUSIONS: Results are encouraging and allow specific recommendations for future research about: (1) inclusion criteria, often not defined, (2) a specific baseline adapted to the program of rehabilitation, (3) a control measure regarding program efficiency and (4) a role for the psychologist (presence and advice during the program).

[Cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: preliminary results and presentation of a new program, PROCOG-SEP]. / Première évaluation d'un programme de remédiation cognitive chez des patients atteints de sclérose en plaques: PROCOG-SEP.

BACKGROUND: Although cognitive disorders are well-known in multiple sclerosis (MS), even in earlier stages of the disease, their management may be overlooked. Our objective was to elaborate and evaluate the efficiency of a remedial program (PROCOG-SEP) designed for MS patients. The evidence-based program proposes exercises to both stimulate preserved functions and develop new abilities compensating for cognitive disabilities. DESIGN/METHODS: Twenty-four patients with MS participated in 10/2-hour PROCOG-SEP sessions over a 6-month period. A neuropsychologist recorded BCcog-SEP performances before and after the PROCOG-SEP program. In addition, the same neuropsychologist conducted psychoclinical interviews to complete the before and after cognitive evaluations. The statistical analysis used the t-test performed with Excel. RESULTS: Compared with the initial levels, subtests of BCcog-SEP showing improvement after PROCOG-SEP were: verbal memory (SRT), visuospatial memory (10/36), verbal fluency (animal categories) and response to conflicting orders. Also, individual psychological interviews tended to be in favor of a general improvement in quality of life (more social interactions for instance). CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, the management program we have elaborated is the first designed to improve cognitive deficits in MS. These encouraging results suggest possibilities for improving cognition and thus quality-of-life in MS patients.

Giant cystic widening of Virchow-Robin spaces: an anatomofunctional study.

We describe 2 patients with unusual white matter cystic dilations, which could correspond to widening of the perivascular spaces. They underwent morphologic MR imaging with tractography, functional MR imaging (fMRI), and neuropsychological evaluation. fMRI examination showed no functional reorganization of cortical areas. Tractography showed an apparent decrease of white matter tract vectors into the regions of concern. Findings of the neuropsychological examination were normal. It seems that even an extensive cystic dilation of white matter does not deteriorate brain function.

Intraoperative identification of the negative motor network during awake surgery to prevent deficit following brain resection in premotor regions.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical resection in premotor areas can lead to supplementary motor area syndrome as well as a permanent deficit. However, recent findings suggest a putative role of the negative motor network in those dysfunctions. Our objective was to compare the functional results in two groups of adult patients who underwent the resection of a frontal glioma with and without resection of the negative motor networks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve patients (total of 13 surgeries) were selected for awake surgery for a frontal glioma. Negative motor responses were monitored during surgery at the cortical and subcortical levels. Sites eliciting negative motor responses were first identified then spared (n=8) or removed (n=5) upon oncological requirements. RESULTS: In the group with removal of the negative motor network (n=5), all patients presented a complete supplementary motor area syndrome with akinesia and mutism. At 3months, they all presented bimanual coordination dysfunction and fine movement disorders. In the group with preservation of the negative motor network (n=8), all patients presented transient and slight disorders of speech or upper limb, they all recovered completely at 3months. DISCUSSION: The negative motor network is a part of a modulatory motor network involved in the occurrence of the supplementary motor area syndrome and the permanent deficit after resection in premotor areas. Then, intraoperative functional cortico-subcortical mapping using direct electrostimulation under awake surgery seems mandatory to avoid deficit in bimanual coordination and fine movements during surgery in premotor areas.

Response to intrathecal infusions of Depocyt® in secondary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis. A case report.

UNLABELLED: Secondary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis, in which a glioma of the brain or spinal cord infiltrates the leptomeninges, is an uncommon clinical metastatic complication of malignant glioma, for which there is no consensus regarding treatment. In an ante mortem series in which the diagnosis of leptomeningeal gliomatosis was based on neuroradiological results, an incidence of 2% was reported. The appearance of leptomeningeal gliomatosis is a pre-terminal event. CASE REPORT: A 44 year-old woman rapidly developed intracranial pressure and impairment of cognitive function. A huge right temporal tumor was diagnosed and an incomplete resection performed. Histology showed it was a glioblastoma and a concurrent radiation therapy with temozolomide was administered. Her clinical status was subnormal. A first course of adjuvant chemotherapy, temozolomide, was administered, and her neurological status suddenly worsened in days: deterioration of cognitive function status, inability to walk, and aphasia were reported. The cerebrospinal fluid showed an elevated protein content of 2 g/l, and glucose concentration was low. Cytology of cerebrospinal fluid showed no malignant cells. Systemic nitrosourea chemotherapy (fotemustine) was administered. Intrathecal sustained-release cytarabine, Depocyt®, was initiated (an induction cycle followed by a consolidation). After a second intrathecal infusion, her clinical status significantly improved, and she was discharged to a medical unit. The duration of response was approximately 6 months. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal infusions of Depocyt®, recommended for the treatment of lymphoma neoplastic meningitis, seems to be effective in treatment of secondary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis.