Cognition and brain development in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

• DOI: 10.1111/epi.13125
• Publication Date: 2015-09-04T09:57:21Z
• Authors: Camille Garcia‐Ramos; Daren C. Jackson; Jack J. Lin; Kevin Dabbs; Jana E. Jones; David A. Hsu; Carl E. Stafstrom; Lucy Zawadzki; Michael Seidenberg; Vivek Prabhakaran; Bruce P. Hermann
• Keywords: Rolandic epilepsy; Brain Development

Summary Objective Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes ( BECTS ), the most common focal childhood epilepsy, is associated subtle abnormalities in cognition and possible developmental alterations brain structure when compared to healthy participants, as indicated by previous cross‐sectional studies. To examine natural history of , we investigated cognition, cortical thickness, subcortical volumes children new/recent onset controls HC ). Methods Participants were 8–15 years age, including 24 new‐onset 41 age‐ gender‐matched . At baseline 2 later, all participants completed a cognitive assessment, subset (13 ) underwent T 1 volumetric magnetic resonance imaging MRI scans focusing on thickness volumes. Results Baseline (object naming, verbal learning, arithmetic computation, psychomotor speed/dexterity) persisted over years, rate development paralleling that neuroimaging revealed thinner cortex frontal, temporal, occipital regions. Longitudinally, showed widespread thinning both hemispheres, whereas sparse regions thickening. Analyses larger left right putamens persisting Significance Cognitive structural are present at persist (cognition) and/or evolve (brain structure) time. Atypical maturation antecedent results early identified continue develop abnormally However, anatomic development, appears more resistant further change