Cognitive Development in Children with Rolandic Epilepsy: Results of a Current PubMed Search

Aims: The study aims to review empirical findings concerning cognitive development in children with rolandic epilepsy (RE).

Methods: A systematic PubMed review of clinical studies was published in 2009 (since a last review on this topic).

Results: A total of 30 clinical studies were found. Only studies using control groups and ILAE criteria (n = 18) were included. Overall, 16 studies were prospective and 2 were retrospective studies. Only one prospective follow-up study was performed.

Most of the studies (except for two) revealed an association between RE and specific cognitive impairments, and learning disabilities. In particular, deficits were found in the following domains: verbal abilities (in 8 of 11 studies), memory (5/7), visuoconstructive/visuospatial skills (3/3), academic skills (5/6), and attention and executive functions (5/7). After remission of epilepsy, one study showed normalization of previously existing language deficits; however, in two studies language impairments remained even after remission. Associations between clinical characteristics of epilepsy and cognitive performance were examined in 15 of the 18 studies: in 4 studies a relevant correlation was found. Overall, two studies could not detect differences in cognitive performance between patients with RE with or without seizures.

Conclusion: Studies show a high prevalence of cognitive impairments in children with RE. Because of their developmental risks, early cognitive assessment, treatment, and follow-up assessment are important. Furthermore, there is an ongoing need for high-quality research in this area: especially prospective follow-up studies are necessary.

Keywords: rolandic epilepsy, benign rolandic epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes, cognitive development.