Investigation of the relationship between cognitive features and interictal EEG findings and seizure frequency in epilepsy patients

Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by the tendency to have seizures and the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological and social consequences that occur as a result. Impairments in cognition and social cognition have been detected in numerous studies that have been conducted on patients with epilepsy. There are studies that have obtained different results regarding the factors that affect cognitive functions, and this study aims to investigate the effects of disease-related factors, primarily seizure frequency and interictal EEG findings, on cognition and social cognition. Our study included 61 patients diagnosed with epilepsy and 40 healthy control group participants who were followed up at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Neurology Clinic. No difference was observed between the groups in terms of age, gender, and education status. Individuals exhibiting depressive symptoms as per the Beck Depression Inventory were excluded from both groups. After obtaining the informed consent form from the participants, socio-demographic information and information about their diseases were obtained. Then, the patients were administered the Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination Revised Version, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, Digit Span Test, Stroop Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Benton Face Recognition Test, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Dokuz Eylül Theory of Mind Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The success rates of cognition tests, including the Montreal Cognitive Assesment Scale, Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination Revised Version , Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Digit Span and the success rates of social cognition tests, including Benton Face Recognition Test, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Dokuz Eylül Theory of Mind Scale and Iowa Gambling Task, were found to be lower in the epilepsy patient group compared to the control group. The anti-seizure treatment regimen, seizure occurence in the last month and epileptic findings on EEG had no effect on cognition and social cognition alone. However, a significant effect of the interaction between EEG findings and anti-seizure treatment regimen was observed. Our study found that disease duration was a significant factor in cognitive status, while disease duration and MOCA score were significant factors in social cognition. As evidenced by our findings, individuals diagnosed with epilepsy exhibit notable deficits in cognitive and social cognitive functioning when compared to the healthy population. These impairments have a significant impact on their daily activities. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop effective interventions.