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VOLUME 14 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2020 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

Differences in Cognitive Profile of Psychogenic Nonepileptic and Epileptic Seizure Patients

Anand Thaman, Naina Sharma

Keywords : Executive cognitive functioning deficits, Neuropsychological profile, Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures

Citation Information : Thaman A, Sharma N. Differences in Cognitive Profile of Psychogenic Nonepileptic and Epileptic Seizure Patients. Ind J Priv Psychiatry 2020; 14 (2):62-67.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10067-0062

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 31-07-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).


Abstract

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are the episodes of involuntary movements, altered consciousness, sensations, and perceptions, which otherwise look similar to epileptic seizures (ES), but without any abnormal electrical activities in brain areas. PNES is generally considered psychological in origin; however, latest theoretical models suggest the mediation of cognitive-emotional vulnerabilities in these patients. Cognitive deficits especially in executive domains have been reported in previous studies, but findings are largely equivocal. The present study attempted to evaluate the comparative profile of two seizure groups along with the healthy control. Selected tests from NIMHANS neuropsychological battery were applied to measure the executive cognitive domains. Results of study found common (response inhibition/flexibility) as well as different (attention, verbal category fluency, and visual working memory) cognitive performances of two seizure groups. These findings confirmed the genuineness of cognitive deficits in PNES patients and urge the mental health professionals to consider these vulnerabilities while making interventional strategies.

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