Effect of common anti-epileptic drugs on cognition in schoolchildren with epilepsy.

This study was conducted to observe the effect of some commonly used anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), on cognition, in 118 school going children with epilepsy, in an age range of 9-12 yrs., (Mean 10.4 +/- 1.7 yrs.). For comparison, 28 healthy, age and sex matched schoolchildren served as controls. After a clinical, electrophysiological and radiological evaluation, the cognitive functions were assessed in both groups, using a modified Wechsler's Intelligence Scale. It was observed that cognition was impaired in only 2.5% of children with epilepsy, there being no relationship between cognitive performance and the type of AED used. It is concluded that cognitive functions are impaired in only a limited number of children with epilepsy and effect of phenobarbitone and phenytoin on cognitive functions is comparable to carbamazepine and sodium valproate, particularly when demand of task is not very high.