Thesis Format
Integrated Article
Degree
Master of Science
Program
Neuroscience
Supervisor
Owen, Adrian M.
2nd Supervisor
Gofton, Teneille
Co-Supervisor
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are a common comorbidity of epilepsy, yet the validity of cognitive tests used for people with epilepsy (PwE) remains understudied. Moreover, clinical risk factors for cognitive impairments in PwE are inconsistent and minimal research has investigated quality of life (QOL) among Canadians with epilepsy. This study assessed the feasibility of a computerized cognitive testing battery called Creyos in PwE, predominantly drug-resistant epilepsy. Additionally, this study used the Neuro-QOL questionnaire and analyzed relationships among cognition, clinical factors, and QOL. Participants performed significantly worse than norms on 11 of the 12 Creyos tasks and subjective cognition, social satisfaction, and anxiety Neuro-QOL domains, although within depression norms. There were no significant relationships between Creyos, Neuro-QOL, and clinical factors. This study was the first to establish feasibility of Creyos in PwE and provided evidence that people with drug-resistant epilepsy are at risk of widespread cognitive and QOL impairments regardless of clinical factors.
Summary for Lay Audience
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that is characterized by seizures and is often linked to cognitive deficits, such as memory difficulties. Even though different medications are available to treat epilepsy, they do not work for everyone. This is called drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Often, people with epilepsy (PwE), especially DRE, need to receive cognitive testing. The gold standard testing is from a neuropsychologist, but there are usually long waitlists and this testing is difficult to access. Quick cognitive tests that a patient can do independently may help doctors prioritize which patients should be referred to formal neuropsychology testing. However, the use of cognitive tests specifically for PwE needs to be studied more. Also, research has been inconsistent on the factors that are linked to poor cognition in PwE, such as if a person’s age at the time of their first seizure is linked to poor cognition. Finally, we do not have a good understanding of certain cognitive abilities in PwE. Once impairments are identified, researchers may create cognitive therapies to help PwE.
More and more, cognitive tests are done over a computer or tablet, which has many benefits including better accessibility. In this study, we looked at if a collection of 12 computerized cognitive tests called Creyos is a possible tool for testing cognition in PwE, especially DRE. Participants performed worse on 11 of the 12 Creyos tasks than healthy individuals and their performance was unrelated to clinical factors.
Often, PwE also have a poor quality of life (QOL). More research is needed on the QOL of PwE, including DRE, living in Canada. Therefore, participants completed a questionnaire called the Neuro-QOL. They reported low social life satisfaction, low self-reported cognition, and anxiety. Surprisingly, participants did not report depression. The Neuro-QOL scores were not linked to any of the clinical factors that we investigated or performance on Creyos.
Overall, we found that Creyos can be used to test cognition in people with PwE. Participants performed poorly in almost all of the cognitive abilities investigated and had poor QOL in several areas. The poor Creyos and Neuro-QOL scores were unrelated to clinical factors.
Recommended Citation
Gray, Hannah Gabrielle, "Assessing Cognition and Quality of Life in People With Epilepsy: A Feasibility Study" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10321.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10321
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