Treatment of Cognitive Deficits in Epilepsy

Beth A Leeman-Markowski; Steven C Schachter

doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2015.08.008

Treatment of Cognitive Deficits in Epilepsy

Neurol Clin. 2016 Feb;34(1):183-204. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.08.008.

Authors

Beth A Leeman-Markowski¹, Steven C Schachter²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 6000, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address: beth.a.leeman@emory.edu.
² Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital - CIMIT, Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 702, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

PMID: 26613999
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.08.008

Abstract

Cognitive deficits, including attention, language, memory, and executive dysfunction, are common in the setting of epilepsy and can greatly impair quality of life. The etiology is often multifactorial and may be due to the underlying seizure disorder, treatment adverse effects, and psychiatric comorbidities, among other factors. Management of cognitive deficits aims to address these underlying etiologies as well as provide rehabilitative strategies. Several investigational therapies are also currently under study. This article examines current and future treatments for cognitive dysfunction in epilepsy.

Keywords: Attention; Cognition; Epilepsy; Executive function; Language; Memory; Neuropsychological; Seizures.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cognition Disorders / etiology
Cognition Disorders / psychology
Cognition Disorders / therapy*
Epilepsy / complications*
Epilepsy / psychology
Humans
Neuropsychological Tests
Quality of Life