Effect of epilepsy on psychomotor function in children with uncomplicated epilepsy

This study assessed the impact of epilepsy on motor function in children. We aimed to analyze the effect in uncomplicated epilepsies (cryptogenic partial and idiopathic generalized epilepsy). A group of 87 children with epilepsy (47 males, 40 females; mean age 8y, standard deviation [SD] 1y 9mo, range 4y 11mo to 12y 11mo), but without learning disability* or other neurological comorbid disorders, was compared with a control group of 107 children (76 males, 31 females; mean age 8y 4mo, SD 2y 2mo, range 4y 7mo to 12y 2mo). The differences in main motor skills and psychomotor speed were analyzed using the Movement ABC and computerized measures for simple reaction times and finger tapping. No significant difference in motor function was found. The overall psychomotor development of children with epilepsy is comparable to controls. However, a significant slowing of psychomotor speed in the group with epilepsy was reported. No relation with antiepileptic drug treatment was demonstrated and no difference in psychomotor speed between different types of epilepsy was found. The existence of a condition leading to excessive neuronal discharge leads to a general cortical inhibition. The slowing of psychomotor speed in children with uncomplicated epilepsy may be the behavioural presentation of this inhibition.