The Cognition Survey was conducted by the Euopean Regional Committee of IBE, together with Ian Hindmarch, Professor of Human Psychoparmacology at the University of Surrey and with a grant aid from UCB Pharma.
The questionnaire was circulated by IBE chapters in Belgium, France, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Austra and Malta.
Epilepsy and Cognition Fast Facts
- Cognitive function is higher-order behaviour involving primarily the cortical structures of the brain to programme adaptive behaviour, to solve problems, memorise information and focus attention1
- Memory impairments, mental slowing and attention deficits are the most frequently reported cognitive disorders in a population of patients with epilepsy1
- Cognitive impairment is different from mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression or psychosis
- The exact cause of cognitive impairment in epilepsy is unknown, but three factors are clearly involved: aetiology, seizure activity and central side effects of drug treatment1
- Cognitive function can be temporarily or permanently impaired by alcohol, recreational and medicinal drugs, brain injury or disease
- Nearly half of people with epilepsy are likely to be aware of problems with cognitive function2
- In addition to the effects of epilepsy on cognitive function, some anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can also have an adverse effect. Over half of people with epilepsy associate their cognitive problems with their condition and/or their medication2
References
- Aldenkamp AP, De Krom M, Reijs R. Epilepsia. 2003;44(suppl 4):21-29.
- International Bureau for Epilepsy. Patients in Mind Survey of Cognitive Function, 2004
click here to download the Cognition Survey Poster
click here to download the IBE Epilepsy and Cognitive Function Survey Results
click here to download the IBE Epilepsy and Cognitive Survey Press Release