Absence epilepsy in young people. Neuropsychological evaluation of two cases

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy constitutes disorders of neuronal function expressed as limited crisis episodes caused by abnormal discharges of groups of neurons. Juvenil absence epilepsy begins between 10 and 17 years old, with typical absences and sometimes tonic-clonic seizures. Intecritical electroencephalogram (EEG) presents 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges with a good response to medication. Neuropsychological assessments allow determining the presence of cognitive and behavioral changes. Material and methods: Observational, descriptive, transversal and prospective research. We evaluated two righthanded female, 19 years old, Psychology undergraduate students (Subjects A and B). Both subjects reported absence seizures beginning in adolescence, subject B also reported tonic-clonic seizures. In a well illuminated room, free of distractors, in an individual manner, we applied the brief neuropsychological test in spanish (NEUROPSI), the Wisconsin card sorting test computerized version (WISCONPC) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale in two 45-minutes sessions. Results: In the NEUROPSI, subject A, got a total score of 118 (high normal) and subject B a score of 106 (normal) with difficulties in attention, recall of verbal stimuli and reading comprehension. In the WISCONPC, subject A, completed six categories while B completed two categories, with an inability to keep the organization. In the Epworth Scale, subject B reported not sleeping enough. Discussion and conclusions: Neuropshychologycal assessments allowed us to know the current condition of cognitive processes of evaluated subjects and to suggest corrective strategies in the identified processes with difficulties.