Repeat testing enhances long-term verbal memory in children with epilepsy.

To (i) determine whether accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) can be found using standardized verbal memory test materials in children with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and (ii) to establish whether ALF is impacted by executive skills and repeat testing over long delays. One hundred and twenty-three children aged 8 to 16, (28 with GGE, 23 with TLE, and 72 typically developing; TD) completed a battery of standardized tests assessing executive functioning and memory for two stories. Stories were recalled immediately and after a 30-min delay. To examine whether repeat testing impacts long-term forgetting, one story was tested via free recall at 1-day and 2-weeks, and the other at 2-weeks only. Recognition was then tested for both stories at 2-weeks. Children with epilepsy recalled fewer story details, both immediately and after 30-min relative to TD children. Compared to TD children, the GGE group, but not the TLE group, showed ALF, having significantly poorer recall of the story tested only at the longest delay. Poor executive skills were significantly correlated with ALF for children with epilepsy. Standard story memory materials can detect ALF in children with epilepsy when administered over long delays. Our findings suggest that (i) ALF is related to poor executive skills in children with epilepsy, and (ii) repeated testing may ameliorate ALF in some children.

What are the predictors of TOMM failure in clinical TBI populations? A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine base rates of invalid performance on the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) undertaking rehabilitation who were referred for clinical assessment, and the factors contributing to TOMM failure. METHODS: Retrospective file review of consecutive TBI referrals for neuropsychological assessment over seven years. TOMM failure was conventionally defined as performance <45/50 on Trial 2 or Retention Trial. Demographic, injury, financial compensation, occupational, and medical variables were collected. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety one TBI cases (Median age = 40 years [IQR = 26-52], 79% male, 82% severe TBI) were identified. Overall, 48 cases (9.78%) failed the TOMM. Logistic regression analyses revealed that use of an interpreter during the assessment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 8.25, 95%CI = 3.96-17.18), outpatient setting (aOR = 4.80, 95%CI = 1.87-12.31) and post-injury psychological distress (aOR = 2.77, 95%CI = 1.35-5.70) were significant multivariate predictors of TOMM failure. The TOMM failure rate for interpreter cases was 49% (21/43) in the outpatient setting vs. 7% (2/30) in the inpatient setting. By comparison, 9% (21/230) of non-interpreter outpatient cases failed the TOMM vs. 2% (4/188) of inpatient cases. CONCLUSIONS: TOMM failure very rarely occurs in clinical assessment of TBI patients in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. It is more common in the outpatient setting, particularly in non-English-speaking people requiring an interpreter. The findings reinforce the importance of routinely administering stand-alone performance validity tests in assessments of clinical TBI populations, particularly in outpatient settings, to ensure that neuropsychological test results can be interpreted with a high degree of confidence.

Accelerated long-term forgetting in children with temporal lobe epilepsy: A timescale investigation of material specificity and executive skills.

Recently, children with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) were found to be at risk of accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF). In this study, we examined the temporal trajectory of ALF, while exploring the relationship between ALF, executive skills, and epilepsy variables. Fifty-one children, (23 with TLE and 28 typically developing) completed a battery of neuropsychological tests of verbal and visual memory, executive skills, and two experimental memory tasks (verbal and visual) involving recall after short (30-min) and extended (1-day and 2-week) delays. Side of seizure focus and hippocampal integrity were considered. On the visual task (Scene Memory), children with TLE performed comparably to typically developing children following a 30-min and 1-day delay, although worse than typically developing children at 2 weeks: ALF was observed in children with right TLE focus. The two groups did not differ on the experimental verbal memory task. Children with TLE also had worse performance than typically developing children on standardized verbal memory test and on tests of executive skills (i.e., verbal generativity, inhibition, working memory, complex attention). Only complex attention was associated with visual ALF. ALF was present for visuo-spatial materials in children with TLE at two weeks, and children with right TLE were most susceptible. A relationship was identified between complex attention and long-term forgetting. The findings extend our understanding of difficulties in long-term memory formation experienced by children with TLE.

Accelerated long-term forgetting in children with genetic generalized epilepsy: The temporal trajectory and contribution of executive skills.

PURPOSE: Long-term memory, which is critical for social and vocational functioning, is impaired in children with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). In this study, we examined the relationship between the temporal pattern of long-term forgetting for visual and verbal materials and executive skills in children with GGE. METHOD: Thirty-two children, 17 with GGE and 25 typically developing age-matched controls completed standardized tests of short-term memory (recall after a 30-minute delay), executive skills, and experimental long-term memory tasks (one verbal and one visual) involving recall after one short (30-minute), and two long (1-day, 2-week) delays. RESULTS: On the long-term visual memory task, children with GGE performed comparably with typically developing children at a 30-minute delay (p = .298), although obtained lower object placement accuracy score, at 1 day (p = .039) and at 2 weeks (p = .022) relative to typically developing children. On the verbal task, the between-group difference was not significant at any delay. In children with GGE, poorer object placement accuracy at two weeks correlated with lower visuospatial short-term memory (r = -0.624, p = .005) and verbal working memory (r = -0.448, p = .041). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided several novel findings. For the first time, accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) was found in long-term visual memory in children with GGE, despite comparable learning and recall at 30 min. Study results indicated that deficits in long-term visual memory are present after one day, increase over time, and may relate to reduced executive skills. Our findings can be used to inform our understanding of the temporal trajectory of ALF and contribution of executive skills.

Measuring reliable change in traumatic brain injury (TBI): The pitfalls of using readily available formulae.

Individuals with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently undergo repeat neuropsychological assessments. Reliable change (RC) methodologies based on general population normative data are often used to assess for clinically significant change. The consequence of applying such methodologies to an individual with a TBI needs investigation. The current study tested the validity of readily available formulae in moderate to severe TBI participants who were >2 years postinjury. Participants were administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV/Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WAIS/WMS-IV) battery on two occasions across an approximate 1 year interval. Index scores were entered into 10 RC formulae to assess their validity in individuals with a TBI. Findings revealed that the formulae used in the study are relatively interchangeable in regards to WAIS-IV assessment, but that many of the formulae identified statistically unexpected rates of RC change in memory tasks assessed by the WMS-IV. Two formulae that did not contain statistical manipulations for practice effects performed relatively well in regards to memory assessment. Therefore, indiscriminate use of RC formulae could lead to over identifying memory decline in the TBI populations. The results suggest that either Iverson or Jacobson and Truax formulae can be used to assess RC for memory in moderate to severe TBI populations.

Theory of mind and social competence in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to examine theory of mind (ToM) and its relationship to social competence in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between ToM, social competence, epilepsy variables, and executive functioning (EF). METHOD: Twenty-two children and adolescents (8-16 years old) with TLE and 22 typically developing controls completed two advanced behavioural tests of ToM (faux-pas, strange stories), measures of EF and verbal IQ. Parents completed questionnaires assessing ToM and social competence of their child. Epilepsy variables were obtained from treating neurologists and interviews with parents. RESULTS: Children and adolescents with TLE had significant impairments in cognitive and affective ToM, reduced social competence, and lower verbal IQ than controls. Although verbal IQ was reduced in the TLE group, it was not related to ToM or social functioning. ToM impairment (a single score encompassing cognitive and affective ToM) was significantly correlated with social competence problems in our TLE group. Longer duration of epilepsy was related to reduced ToM and social competence, while earlier onset of seizures was related to social competence problems only. Finally, EF was neither impaired nor related to ToM or social problems in children and adolescents with TLE. CONCLUSION: This study revealed marked ToM impairments and associated social difficulties in children and adolescents with TLE. The results support studies demonstrating similar impairments in children with other epilepsy subtypes and highlight the importance of detecting and treating ToM and social difficulties in this group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Facial emotion perception and social competence in children (8 to 16 years old) with genetic generalized epilepsy and temporal lobe epilepsy.

Facial emotion perception (FEP) impairments are common in adults with epilepsy and associated with impaired psychosocial functioning. Research into the presence of FEP deficits in children with epilepsy and the functional implications of these deficits is limited. The primary aims of this study were to assess FEP abilities in children (8 to 16 years old) with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and examine whether FEP is related to everyday social functioning. Forty-four children (8 to 16 years) with epilepsy (22 GGE, 22 TLE) and 22 typically developing controls completed the Pictures of Facial Affect (POFA) battery to assess FEP and a brief test of intellectual functioning (intelligence quotient [IQ]). Parents completed questionnaires assessing social competence of their child. Neurologists completed the Global Assessment of Severity of Epilepsy (GASE) scale as a measure of overall epilepsy severity. Demographic and clinical information was obtained from medical records and clinical interviews with parents. Findings revealed significant, overall FEP impairments and reduced social competence in children with GGE and TLE compared to controls. The magnitude of FEP impairment (i.e., across all emotions) was comparable in the two epilepsy groups, yet different emotions were impaired in each group: children with GGE were impaired in recognizing anger and disgust, whereas children with TLE were impaired in sadness and disgust, compared to controls. Contrary to expectations, total FEP accuracy was not significantly correlated with social competence in either epilepsy group. In conclusion, children with GGE and TLE have significant impairments recognizing emotional expressions on faces. Further research is needed to examine whether underlying FEP impairments relate to social and emotional functioning in children with epilepsy.

Theory of Mind and social competence in children and adolescents with genetic generalised epilepsy (GGE): Relationships to epilepsy severity and anti-epileptic drugs.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine Theory of Mind (ToM) and social competence in children and adolescents with genetic generalised epilepsy (GGE), and explore how they relate to neurocognitive and epilepsy variables. METHODS: Twenty-two children and adolescents with GGE (8-16 years old) and 22 typically developing controls completed two behavioural tasks (faux-pas, strange stories) assessing cognitive and affective ToM, and a battery of standardised neuropsychological tests. Parents completed questionnaires assessing ToM and social competence. Neurologists completed the Global Assessment Severity of Epilepsy (GASE) scale to measure of epilepsy severity. RESULTS: Children and adolescents with GGE were impaired in both cognitive and affective ToM, and had reduced social competence compared to controls, which was not attributable to low intellectual functioning or impaired executive skills (working memory, inhibition). Lower ToM correlated with reduced social competence in children and adolescents with GGE. Clinical variables identified included: (i) higher daily dosage of valproate, which was correlated with reduced affective ToM, (ii) higher daily dosages of ethosuximide and lamotrigine, which were correlated with reduced social competence, and (iii) overall epilepsy severity on the GASE, which was correlated with reduced social competence. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed cognitive and affective ToM impairments in children and adolescents with GGE, which correlated with everyday social problems. Moreover, higher dosages of commonly prescribed anti-epileptic drugs and overall epilepsy severity were related to ToM impairments and social competence problems. Although preliminary, these findings provide critical information for detection and screening procedures for social difficulties in children and adolescents with GGE, which are currently lacking.

Measurement equivalence of the newly developed Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine measurement equivalence of the newly developed Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) across age, sex, and time in a representative sample of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy. METHODS: Data come from 373 children enrolled in the Health-related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES), a multisite prospective cohort study. Measurement equivalence was examined using a multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis framework, whereby increasingly stringent parameter constraints are imposed on the model. Comparison groups were stratified based on age (4-7 years vs. 8-12 years), sex (male vs. female), and time (measurement of health-related quality of life at diagnosis vs. 24 months later). RESULTS: The QOLCE-55 demonstrated measurement equivalence at the level of strict invariance for each model tested--age: χ(2) (3,123) = 4,097.3, p < 0.001; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.968; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.042 (0.038, 0.045); sex: χ(2) (3,124) = 4,188.3, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.964; RMSEA = 0.044 (0.040, 0.047); and time: χ(2) (3,121) = 5,185.0, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.965; RMSEA = 0.046 (0.043, 0.048). SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that items comprising the QOLCE-55 are perceived similarly among groups stratified by age, sex, and time and provide further evidence supporting the validity of the scale in children with epilepsy. Health professionals and researchers should be confident that group comparisons made using the QOLCE-55 are unbiased and that any group differences detected are meaningful; that is, not related to differences in the interpretation of items by informants. Future research replicating these findings is encouraged.

Development and assessment of a shortened Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55).

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a shortened version of the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE). A secondary aim was to compare baseline risk factors predicting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children newly diagnosed with epilepsy, as identified using the original and shortened version. METHODS: Data came from the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES, N = 373), a multicenter prospective cohort study. Principal component analysis reduced the number of items from the original QOLCE, and factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the shortened version. Convergent and divergent validity was assessed by correlating the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) with the shortened QOLCE. Multiple regression identified risk factors at diagnosis for HRQoL at 24 months. RESULTS: A four-factor, higher-order, 55-item solution was obtained. A total of 21 items were removed. The final model represents functioning in four dimensions of HRQoL: Cognitive, Emotional, Social, and Physical. The shortened QOLCE demonstrated acceptable fit: Bentler's Comparative Fit Index = 0.944; Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.942; root mean square approximation = 0.058 (90% CI: 0.056-0.061); weighted root mean square residuals (WRMR) = 1.582, and excellent internal consistency (α = 0.96, subscales α > 0.80). Factor loadings were good (first-order: λ = 0.66-0.93; higher-order λ = 0.66-0.85; p < 0.001 for all). The shortened QOLCE scores correlated strongly with similar subscales of the Child Health Questionnaire (ρ = 0.38-0.70) while correlating weakly with dissimilar subscales (ρ = 0.30-0.31). While controlling for HRQoL at diagnosis, predictors for better HRQoL at 24 months were the following: no cognitive problems reported (p = 0.001), better family functioning (p = 0.014), fewer family demands (p = 0.008), with an interaction between baseline HRQoL and cognitive problems (p = 0.011). SIGNIFICANCE: Results offer initial evidence regarding reliability and validity of the proposed 55-item shortened version of the QOLCE (QOLCE-55). The QOLCE-55 produced results on risk factors consistent with those found using the original measure. Given the fewer items, QOLCE-55 may be a viable option reducing respondent burden when assessing HRQoL in children with epilepsy.

Prevalence, comorbidities, and correlates of challenging behavior among community-dwelling adults with severe traumatic brain injury: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the prevalence, comorbidities, and correlates of challenging behaviors among clients of the New South Wales Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program. SETTING: All community-based rehabilitation services of the statewide program. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seven active clients with severe traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter study. MAIN MEASURES: Eighty-eight clinicians from the 11 services rated clients on the Overt Behaviour Scale, Disability Rating Scale, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale-2, Care and Needs Scale, and Health of the Nation Outcome Scale-Acquired Brain Injury. RESULTS: Overall prevalence rate of challenging behaviors was 54%. Inappropriate social behavior (33.3%), aggression (31.9%), and adynamia (23.1%) were the 3 most common individual behaviors, with 35.5% of the sample displaying more than 1 challenging behavior. Significant associations were found between increasing levels of challenging behavior and longer duration of posttraumatic amnesia, increasing functional disability, greater restrictions in participation, increased support needs, and greater degrees of psychiatric disturbance, respectively (P < 0.004). Multivariate binomial logistic regression found that premorbid alcohol abuse, postinjury restrictions in participation, and higher levels of postinjury psychiatric disturbance were independent predictors of challenging behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Challenging behaviors are widespread among community-dwelling adults with severe traumatic brain injury. Services need to deliver integrated anger management, social skills, and motivational treatments.

Prevalence, clinical features, and correlates of inappropriate sexual behavior after traumatic brain injury: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the prevalence and clinical features of inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB) among a community-based cohort of clients of the New South Wales Brain Injury Rehabilitation program. SETTING: All 11 community-based rehabilitation services of the statewide network. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seven clients with severe traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional multicentre study. MAIN MEASURES: Overt Behavior Scale, Disability Rating Scale, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale-2, Health of the Nation Outcome Scale-Acquired Brain Injury, Care and Needs Scale. RESULTS: The point prevalence rate of ISBs was 8.9% (45/507) over the previous 3 months. Inappropriate sexual talk comprised 57.9% of all ISBs, followed by genital and nongenital touching behaviors (29.8%) and exhibitionism/public masturbation (10.5%). In 43 of 45 cases, ISBs were accompanied by other challenging behaviors, most often inappropriate social behavior, and/or aggression. Individuals who sustained more severe injuries and who were younger were significantly more likely to display ISBs. People displaying ISBs were more likely to display higher levels of challenging behaviors overall, lower levels of social participation, and more neuropsychiatric sequelae than 2 other groups: people displaying no challenging behaviors and people displaying challenging behaviors but no ISBs respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ISBs pose a complex clinical challenge among a minority of individuals with severe TBI.

The neuropsychological and language profile of children with benign rolandic epilepsy.

PURPOSE: Benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE) has an excellent prognosis for seizures, but recent research has raised concerns using cognition as an outcome measure. Methodologic problems related to recruitment bias and assessment processes are evident in previous studies. With well-defined criteria for inclusion and comprehensive assessment, the aim of this study was to define the cognitive profile of children with BRE and to assess the effect of interictal EEG activity. METHODS: Patients (n=42) were recruited from six EEG laboratories. The EEG features analyzed were spike frequency, trains, and laterality. Comprehensive neuropsychological and language assessments were conducted. Group means on cognitive measures were compared with normative means. Tests were correlated with EEG features. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that children with BRE have normal intelligence and language ability. However, a specific pattern of difficulties in memory and phonologic awareness was found. Furthermore, a large proportion of children had disproportionate scores in these areas compared with intellectual and language ability. EEG features were minimally associated with cognitive difficulties, and no correlation was found with memory indices and tests of phonologic awareness. CONCLUSIONS: Some children with BRE have specific difficulties in memory and phonologic processing skills, not explained by interictal activity. We recommend that pediatricians ask about academic performance specifically in areas of prereading, reading, spelling, and memory. If difficulties are suspected, assessment targeting phonologic awareness and memory are recommended, as they may not be reflected in overall intellectual and language ability. Difficulties in phonologic awareness affect literacy, and memory problems affect academic performance.

Speech and language deterioration in benign rolandic epilepsy.

A 5-year-old boy presented with typical clinical and electrophysiologic features of benign rolandic epilepsy. His neurodevelopment, language, and behavior prior to the onset of epilepsy were appropriately normal. He demonstrated marked deterioration of language and cognitive function during the course to a mild and then a moderate disability range. Serial sleep electroencephalographic recordings initially showed continuous and bilateral rolandic discharges with evolution to localized left rolandic spikes. Language and cognitive improvements were subsequently seen. Educational support and evolution of the electroencephalogram to a localized focus could have been contributory. It is anticipated, however, that he will have significant long-term problems in complex language.

Validation of the quality of life in childhood epilepsy questionnaire in American epilepsy patients.

The aim of this study was to adapt the Australian Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE) and determine its psychometric properties in a North American population. Participants were North American families with children diagnosed with epilepsy. Parents were asked to complete the American QOLCE (USQOLCE) and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Seventy-one families completed the USQOLCE. The internal consistency reliability of the subscales was good. USQOLCE subscales correlated highly with theoretically similar subscales contained in the CHQ. Theoretically dissimilar subscales on the two instruments did not correlate as well. USQOLCE correlated significantly with a parental rating of seizure severity and an independent measure of degree of postoperative seizure control. This study demonstrated that the USQOLCE is suitable for a North American population with evidence of its reliability and validity including its sensitivity to seizure burden.

Intelligence in childhood epilepsy syndromes.

UNLABELLED: Intellectual deficits play a significant role in the psychosocial comorbidity of children with epilepsy. Early educational intervention is critical. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the intellectual ability of children with common childhood epilepsy syndromes-generalised idiopathic epilepsy (GIE), generalised symptomatic epilepsy (GSE), temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), central epilepsy (CE) and non-localised partial epilepsy (PE). METHODS: A prospective consecutive series of 169 children were recruited. Epilepsy syndrome was identified by clinical data, seizure semiology, interictal and ictal EEG in each child, using International League Against Epilepsy criteria. Each child had neuropsychology assessment using age-normed and validated instruments. After adjusting for important epilepsy variables, 95% confidence intervals were generated for mean full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) using ANCOVA. RESULTS: Significant differences between epilepsy syndrome groups were found for age of onset (P<0.001), duration of active epilepsy (P=0.027), seizure frequency (P=0.037) and polytherapy (P=0.024). Analysing FSIQ, children with GIE, CE and TLE performed best, and did not differ statistically. Children with GSE had a statistically lower FSIQ than other syndrome groups except PE. FLE functioned significantly better than GSE, but did not differ statistically from other groups. CONCLUSIONS: In childhood epilepsy, delineation of the syndrome has important implications when considering intellectual potential. This information is invaluable in planning educational interventions and supporting the family.