ABSTRACT

As children with epilepsy may have a number of learning and behavioral problems, it is important that insight into the underlying neurocognitive differences in these children, which may underlie these areas of challenge is gained. Executive function (EF) problems particularly are associated with specific learning abilities as well as behavioral problems. We aim to review systematically the current status of empirical studies on the association between EF problems and behavior and socioemotional problems in children with epilepsy. After search, 26 empirical studies were identified, most of them of moderate quality. Overall, attention problems were the most reported cognitive deficit in test assessment and the most reported problem by parents. In 54% of the studies, children with epilepsy scored below average compared to controls/normative samples on different aspects of EF. Most studies reported behavior problems, which ranged from mild to severe. Forty-two percent of the studies specifically reported relationships between EF deficits and behavioral problems. In the remaining studies, below average neuropsychological functioning seemed to be accompanied by above average reported behavioral problems. The association was most pronounced for cognitive control and attention in relation to externalizing behavior problems. This cognitive control is also associated with social functioning. Relevant epilepsy variables in this relationship were early age at onset and high seizure frequency.

Future research should distinguish specific aspects of EF and take age into account, as this provides more insight on the association between EF and behavior in pediatric epilepsy, which makes it possible to develop appropriate and early intervention.

摘要

由于癫痫儿童可能有许多学习和行为问题，因此深入了解这些儿童潜在的神经认知差异很重要，这可能是这些挑战领域的基础。执行功能 (EF) 问题尤其与特定的学习能力以及行为问题有关。我们旨在系统地回顾关于癫痫儿童 EF 问题与行为和社会情绪问题之间关联的实证研究的现状。经过搜索，确定了 26 项实证研究，其中大部分为中等质量。总体而言，注意力问题是测试评估中报告最多的认知缺陷，也是父母报告最多的问题。在 54% 的研究中，与对照组/标准样本相比，癫痫儿童在 EF 的不同方面得分低于平均水平。大多数研究报告了从轻微到严重的行为问题。42% 的研究专门报告了 EF 缺陷与行为问题之间的关系。在其余的研究中，低于平均水平的神经心理功能似乎伴随着高于平均水平的行为问题。这种关联在与外化行为问题相关的认知控制和注意力方面最为显着。这种认知控制也与社会功能有关。这种关系中的相关癫痫变量是发病年龄早和癫痫发作频率高。42% 的研究专门报告了 EF 缺陷与行为问题之间的关系。在其余的研究中，低于平均水平的神经心理功能似乎伴随着高于平均水平的行为问题。这种关联在与外化行为问题相关的认知控制和注意力方面最为显着。这种认知控制也与社会功能有关。这种关系中的相关癫痫变量是发病年龄早和癫痫发作频率高。42% 的研究专门报告了 EF 缺陷与行为问题之间的关系。在其余的研究中，低于平均水平的神经心理功能似乎伴随着高于平均水平的行为问题。这种关联在与外化行为问题相关的认知控制和注意力方面最为显着。这种认知控制也与社会功能有关。这种关系中的相关癫痫变量是发病年龄早和癫痫发作频率高。这种关联在与外化行为问题相关的认知控制和注意力方面最为显着。这种认知控制也与社会功能有关。这种关系中的相关癫痫变量是发病年龄早和癫痫发作频率高。这种关联在与外化行为问题相关的认知控制和注意力方面最为显着。这种认知控制也与社会功能有关。这种关系中的相关癫痫变量是发病年龄早和癫痫发作频率高。

未来的研究应该区分 EF 的特定方面并考虑年龄，因为这可以更深入地了解 EF 与小儿癫痫行为之间的关联，从而有可能制定适当的早期干预措施。