Attention Deficits Are Not Characteristic of Schoolchildren with Newly Diagnosed Idiopathic or Cryptogenic Epilepsy

Abstract

Children with newly diagnosed "epilepsy only" do not have persistent attention deficits. AED treatment has no detrimental effect on attention. Prior school and behavior difficulties and a maladaptive reaction to the onset of epilepsy rather than epilepsy variables are related to decreased attentional efficiency.