Attention and Executive Functions in Children With Epilepsy: What, Why, and What to Do

• Published in: Applied neuropsychology. Child Vol. 3; no. 3; pp. 215 - 225
• Main Authors: MacAllister, William S., Vasserman, Marsha, Rosenthal, Joshua, Sherman, Elisabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2014
• Subjects: ADHD; Adolescent; attention; Attention - physiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - physiopathology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy; Behavior Therapy; Child; Cognition Disorders - complications; Cognition Disorders - physiopathology; Cognition Disorders - therapy; epilepsy; Epilepsy - complications; Epilepsy - physiopathology; Executive Function - physiology; executive functions; Humans; Treatment Outcome; epilepsy; ADHD; attention; executive functions
• ISSN: 2162-2965; 2162-2973
• DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2013.839605

Attention and executive function deficits are a common sequelae of many neurological conditions of childhood. Those with epilepsy frequently show such deficits, as executive dysfunction is common in all epilepsy syndromes of childhood. The purpose of this article is to review what is known about attention and executive functions, including the neurological underpinnings of these skills. Then, general cognitive function and dysfunction in childhood epilepsy is discussed with a special focus on attention and executive function impairment. Finally, treatment considerations for children and adolescents with these deficits are reviewed and future directions are discussed.