Neuropsychology Of Childhood Epilepsy

This book is devoted to the neuropsychological description of childhood epilepsy, a neurolo- cal condition that constitutes one of the most prevalent forms of chronic and disabling childhood illnesses. Indeed, one child out of 20 experiences one or more seizures before the age of 5, and one in a hundred develops epilepsy as a chronic disorder. Approximately half of these children with epilepsy display academic difficulties and/or behavioral disorders. Moreoever, it is now believed that a sizable proportion of children with learning disability suffer from undiagnosed epilepsy. While a great number of textbooks have been devoted to various medical aspects of chi- hood epilepsy (diagnosis, genetics, etiology, drug and surgical treatment, etc.), there have been no comprehensive accounts of the cognitive consequences of this condition. Advance of medical knowledge has shown that childhood epilepsy should not be considered as a single disorder but encompasses a whole range of different conditions that exhibit specific clinical EEG and outcome characteristics. It is not becoming apparent that these various clinical entities have different cognitive expression that yet need to be specified. The purpose of this book is to provide a complete up-to-date analysis of this multi-faceted pathology.

Having appeared in the 1930s in Montreal, standardised neuropsychological evaluation has become an essential tool in the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of surgical epileptic patients. Nevertheless, despite great progress over the last 20 to 30 years in the diagnosis and medical treatment of epilepsy, clinical neuropsychology still remains largely associated with surgical epilepsy, particularly surgery of the temporal lobe. Clinical neurology has still not managed to clear a way in the daily practice with patients with all types of epilepsy despite significant advances in cognitive neuroscience and a large number of clinical studies on epilepsy and cognition. How is it that there are only rarely major advances in the field of clinical neuropsychology? It has long been time for this question to be asked, and for an attempt to be made to bring about changes. This was the aim of the Toronto workshop and the result of this book. Every approach was debated, providing important elements to reflect on and allowing a great forum for exchanges. This book includes the communications from the main participants and comments from some others on specific subjects.

This was an exciting project to work on, and I attempted to obtain a broad sampling of current research on the neuropsychology of epilepsy. Because the emphasis of the book takes a neuropsychological perspective on epilepsy, the coverage is not redundant with previous texts on this topic. The book is organized around three themes, although individual chapters certainly often extend beyond the part in which they are located. The three major topics are the nature of epilepsy, cognitive and emotional consequences of epilepsy, and treatment approaches to epilepsy and outcome. In Part I, following a historical overview of epilepsy in Chapter 1 by Sandra D. Haynes and me, Gerald C. McIntosh presents a conceptualization of the epilepsies from a neurologist's perspective. The characteristics of seizure types are discussed, and the etiology of secondary epilepsies is described. Epileptic syndromes are considered. McIntosh outlines clinical seizure patterns associated with seizures originating from different cortical regions.

Classification of epilepsy disorders -- Epilepsy syndromes -- Diagnostic tests in epilepsy -- Medical treatment of epilepsy -- Neuropsychological assessment in epilepsy -- Psychological and psychiatric disorders in epilepsy -- Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures -- Neuropsychological assessment in epilepsy surgery -- Other neuropsychological procedures in epilepsy surgery -- Medical aspects of epilepsy surgery.

Epilepsy in childhood presents a profound challenge Epilepsy is an unsettling, complex condition. There is no ‘one size fits all’ option. For effective treatment a full understanding of each patient’s situation and clinical history is needed. Recent remarkable improvements in our ability to image brain structures, to define physiological patterns and in treatment options has made the task of care of the child with epilepsy potentially more effective. Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents provides the contemporary, caring guidance you need to diagnose and manage seizures in a young patient. Beginning with an overview of the classification of epilepsy syndromes, the experienced authors cover: Diagnostic evaluation of childhood epilepsies Principles of treatment Generalized seizures and generalized epilepsy syndromes Partial onset seizures and localization-related epilepsy syndromes Epilepsies relative to age, etiology or duration The full range of treatment options: medical, dietary, surgical Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents takes a practical approach to a common but complex clinical challenge.

Once feared and misunderstood even among the medical community, epilepsy has since largely been demystified. Besides the characteristic seizures, various cognitive, behavioral, and emotional difficulties are recognized as associated with the condition, and patients are finding relief in medical management and/or surgical intervention. Not surprisingly, neuropsychology has emerged as a major component in treatment planning, program development, and assessment of surgical candidates. Geared toward beginning as well as veteran clinicians, the Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Epilepsy offers readers a skills-based framework for assessment and treatment, using current evidence and standardized terminology. Expert coverage reviews widely-used methods for evaluating key aspects of patient functioning (MRI, MEG, electrocortical mapping, the Wada test), and presents guidelines for psychotherapeutic and cognitive remediation strategies in treating comorbid psychiatric conditions. Given the diversity of the patient population, additional chapters spotlight issues specific to subgroups including high- and low-functioning as well as geriatric and pediatric patients. This integrative hands-on approach benefits a range of practitioners across medical and neurological settings. Topics featured in the Handbook: Neuropsychological assessment across the lifespan. Evaluating the epilepsy surgical candidate: methods and procedures. The Wada test: current perspectives and applications. Assessing psychiatric and personality disorders in the epilepsy patient. Evaluation and management of psychogenic non-epileptic attacks. Neuropsychological assessment with culturally diverse patients. Practical and flexible in its coverage, the Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Epilepsy serves not only neuropsychologists and neurologists but also primary care physicians such as internists, family physicians, and pediatricians.

Once feared and misunderstood even among the medical community, epilepsy has since largely been demystified. Besides the characteristic seizures, various cognitive, behavioral, and emotional difficulties are recognized as associated with the condition, and patients are finding relief in medical management and/or surgical intervention. Not surprisingly, neuropsychology has emerged as a major component in treatment planning, program development, and assessment of surgical candidates. Geared toward beginning as well as veteran clinicians, the Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Epilepsy offers readers a skills-based framework for assessment and treatment, using current evidence and standardized terminology. Expert coverage reviews widely-used methods for evaluating key aspects of patient functioning (MRI, MEG, electrocortical mapping, the Wada test), and presents guidelines for psychotherapeutic and cognitive remediation strategies in treating comorbid psychiatric conditions. Given the diversity of the patient population, additional chapters spotlight issues specific to subgroups including high- and low-functioning as well as geriatric and pediatric patients. This integrative hands-on approach benefits a range of practitioners across medical and neurological settings. Topics featured in the Handbook: Neuropsychological assessment across the lifespan. Evaluating the epilepsy surgical candidate: methods and procedures. The Wada test: current perspectives and applications. Assessing psychiatric and personality disorders in the epilepsy patient. Evaluation and management of psychogenic non-epileptic attacks. Neuropsychological assessment with culturally diverse patients. Practical and flexible in its coverage, the Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Epilepsy serves not only neuropsychologists and neurologists but also primary care physicians such as internists, family physicians, and pediatricians.