Application of the International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in Epilepsy (IC-CoDE) to youths with drug-resistant epilepsy.

RATIONALE: The International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in Epilepsy (IC-CoDE) is a consensus-based, empirically driven taxonomy of cognitive disorders validated in adults with epilepsy. This study explores the applicability of the IC-CoDE to a pediatric cohort with drug resistant focal epilepsy (DRE).

METHODS

One hundred sixty youths (ages 5-18) with DRE received comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations assessing the five cognitive domains defined by the IC-CoDE taxonomy. IC-CoDE phenotypes were derived using a 1.5 SD cut-off. First, differences between phenotype and location of seizure onset were explored. Then, we examined differences in phenotype distribution between youths with DRE and adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), adults with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), and youths with new onset epilepsy. Finally, we investigated potential demographic and disease variables that may differentiate the cognitive phenotypes.

RESULTS

Youths with TLE were more likely to have intact cognition whereas youths with multilobar epilepsy were more likely to have generalized impairment. Although phenotype distribution was not significantly different between adults and youths with TLE and FLE, differences at a domain level were observed. Youths with new onset seizures were more likely to be classified with intact cognition than youths with DRE. Age at seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, general cognitive ability, and pathology were related to IC-CoDE phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

IC-CoDE is easily adapted to pediatric cognitive data. Utilizing this cognitive phenotype taxonomy allows for comparisons between groups and will aid in much needed multicenter collaborations. It will be important to investigate issues specific to the developing brain.