ABSTRACT

We investigated correlations between auditory event-related potentials (P300) and the type and frequency of seizures, duration of the disease and therapy, anticonvulsant drugs, and EEG findings in epilepsy patients.

The study included 45 epilepsy patients (29 females,16 males, mean age 27.4 years; range 16 to 57 years) and 15 healthy controls (10 females, 5 males, mean age 28.3 years; range 20 to 36 years). The patients were claşified according to the type and frequency of seizures, antiepileptic drugs, EEG findings, and the duration of the disease and therapy. Both groups underwent P300 recordings and a standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT).

Compared to the controls, P300 latencies were significantly prolonged and SMMT scores were lower in epilepsy patients. Prolonged P300 latencies were significantly correlated with the number of antiepileptic drugs, the frequency of seizures, and the presence of a focal epileptogenic focus.

Our data suggest that polytherapy, EEG abnormalities, and a high frequency of seizures may be aşociated with a prolonged P300 latency and impaired cognitive functions.

Keywords: Cognition; epilepsy/drug therapy; epilepsy, generalized; epilepsies, partial; event-related potentials, P300; evoked potentials, auditory; memory.