Conference Proceedings

2011 BPS Annual Conference

Conference Venue: Marriott Hotel, Glasgow
British Psychological Society

From: 04 May 2011
To: 06 May 2011

 
Individual Paper(s)

Neuropsychology of epilepsy: A new era of integrating psychology with neuroscience

Saeed Wahass
Associated Professor/Subspecialty Consultant


Neuropsychology is relatively in its infancy stage comparing to other subspecialties of clinical psychology. Having a discussion concerning neuropsychology of epilepsy can be an advanced development. Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures. Seizures are abnormal electrical discharge in the brain. They can be attributed to different causes, for example, injuries, high fever, substance abuse, metabolic disorders, tumors, etc. Evidence-based research indicates that seizures and antiepileptic drugs may lead to cognitive impairments. Moreover, psychological and psychosocial ramifications, for example, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor quality of life, stigma, etc., are commonly seen among epileptic patients. Although, antiepileptic drugs are proven in controlling seizures, current estimates indicate that 20–30 per cent of patients with epilepsy are intractable to drugs. Those patients may be candidates for surgical treatment in an attempt to achieve better seizure control. However, neurosurgery of epilepsy entails rigorous neuropsychological evaluations for specific clinical reasons. Firstly, these types of evaluations may help in localising seizures once neuroimaging fails. Secondly, Wada test for lateralisation of memory and language is essential in order to avoid post-operate neuropsychological dysfunctions. Thirdly, surgery may cause neuropsychological complications, therefore pre- and post-neuropsychological evaluations are strongly needed. Interestingly, seizures may be psychogenic (non-epileptic pseudo-seizures).Thus, lately we may see an emerging a sub-speciality of neuropsychology of epilepsy. This presentation aims to define the crucial roles of neuropsychology of epilepsy as an integral approach to understand behaviour-brain abnormality.