Higher IQ in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Dodging cognitive obstacles and “masking” impairments

In this study, we evaluated and compared the performance of adults with JME with high and low intelligence quotient (IQ) and controls on tasks for executive function (EF) and impulsive traits. We investigated the neuropsychological performance of 53 adults with JME and below average IQ (57% women; 26.9 [± 7.88] years; mean IQ: 89.8 [± 5.1]), 26 adults with JME and average or above average IQ (53.8% women; 28.2 [± 9.33] years; mean IQ: 110.7 [± 8.3]), 38 controls with below average IQ (55% women; 28.4 [± 8.4] years; mean IQ: 90.1 [± 5.8]), and 31 controls with average or above average IQ (61.3% women; 32.20 [± 11.3] years; mean IQ: 111.6 [± 10.5]) with a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests that measure executive/attentional function. Impulsive traits were assessed using the Cloninger et al.'s Temperament and Character Inventory (novelty seeking (NS) domain). The group with JME with higher IQ presented worse performance compared with controls with higher IQ on Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) (errors). This group showed worse performance than controls with lower IQ on Stroop Color–Word Test (SCT) 1, Trail Making (TM) A, COWA, and WCST (errors). Patients with lower IQ showed worse performance than controls with higher IQ on Digit Span Forward (DSF), Digit Span Backward (DSB), SCT1, SCT2, SCT3, TM A, COWA, and WCST (errors and failure to maintain set). Patients with lower...

Source: Epilepsy and Behavior - July 14, 2018 Category: Neurology Source Type: research