Behavioural treatment of slow cortical potentials in intractable epilepsy: neuropsychological predictors of outcome.

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the predictive value of neuropsychological tests within the context of acquisition of slow cortical potential (SCP) self-control, a technique which has beneficial effects on seizure frequency in epilepsy. Patients with epilepsy who successfully achieved SCP control had longer digit or block-tapping spans than less successful patients. Patients who showed a better learning rate across training also displayed better verbal memory and learning abilities. Seizure reduction was related to block-tapping spans only. The results indicate that measures of attention, as indicated by digit spans or block-tapping spans, offer some predictive value for acquisition of SCP control and treatment outcome, whilst measures of visuospatial or frontal lobe function are unrelated to SCP acquisition and seizure reduction.