Neuropsychologie der epilepsie

Abstract

During the neuropsychological assessment, the quantitative cognitive status of different brain-functions is examined. With different kinds of epilepsy (symptomatic or cryptogenic and idiopathic) different kinds of impaired brain-functions, which also have an effect on the psychosocial and socio-economic situation of the patients, can be observed. Focussing on the group of focal epilepsies, different neuropsychological profiles can be found, depending on the location of the seizure's origin. Determinants of the proven impairment of neuropsychological functions are, for example, the underlying pathology, the epileptic activity and in some cases the antiepileptic drug which was taken. The results of the neuropsychological examination are mainly used to provide an indication for therapy, to control the success and quality of epilepsy surgery and to give a prognosis of the future development of cognitive performance.