Impact of Interictal Electroencephalographic Abnormalities on the Stability of Attention in the Epilepsies

Overview

Cognitive disorders are a major problem in patients with epilepsy. One hypothesis is that the anomalies EEGs (AIC) may be responsible for short periods of attentional fluctuations causing a reduction of intellectual efficiency of patients. In this project, we propose to evaluate the impact of AIC on cognitive performance, specifically on attentional performance (central parameter of cognitive functioning) through the use of a computerized cognitive test (called STABILO, detailed below after) to measure, with good temporal sampling, the level of attentional engagement of patients in relation to their EEG activity. The originality of this study lies in the synchronization of two examinations usually made independently (EEG and psychometric testing), respecting a precise temporal coupling. The aim is to provide clinicians with a tool to assess very quickly attentional fluctuations in epileptic patients, and to assess the potential impact of AIC on the occurrence of these changes, with possible therapeutic implications (treatment of AIC and / or specific treatment of attention deficit disorder). The main objective of this study is to assess whether the presence of AIC EEG can induce a weakening of attentional performance.

Cognitive disorders are a major problem in patients with epilepsy. A hypothesis supported by several authors postulated that abnormal EEGs (AIC) may be responsible for short periods of attentional fluctuations causing a reduction of intellectual efficiency of patients. Indeed, attention is a central parameter of human cognition, conditioning performance and welfare in virtually all areas of activity. In this project, we propose to evaluate the impact of AIC on cognitive performance, specifically on attentional performance (central parameter of cognitive functioning) through the use of a computerized cognitive test (called STABILO, detailed below after) to measure, with good temporal sampling, the level of attentional engagement of patients in relation to their EEG activity. The originality of this study lies in the synchronization of two examinations usually made independently (EEG and psychometric testing), respecting a precise temporal coupling. The aim is to provide clinicians with a tool to assess very quickly attentional fluctuations in epileptic patients, and to assess the potential impact of AIC on the occurrence of these changes, with possible therapeutic implications (treatment of AIC and / or specific treatment of attention deficit disorder). This study consists in a scalp EEG to detect, in real time, based on measurements of reaction time and accuracy of responses (recorded every two seconds), the level of attention given by the participant in a repetitive task of constant difficulty and correlate the behavioral results to AIC identified on the EEG recording. A computer equipped for the realization of the STABILO test is already available, its connection / synchronization with standard acquisition systems EEG data is already effective through an RS232 serial port. Included patients will see their EEG extended for fifteen minutes, during which they will carry out a computerized attention task (This is the STABILO experimental protocol developed by JP Lachaux and V. Herbillon) allowing the evaluation of the stability of 'attention.