The Relationship of Attention to Memory in Children with Intractable Epilepsy.
Abstract number :
D.03
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
1187
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
M.L. Smith, Ph.D., Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada; M. Stollstorff, B.Sc., Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada; S. Hoosen-Shakeel, M.A., Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children
RATIONALE: Attention and memory are both cognitive abilities frequently reported as problematic for children with epilepsy. Deficits in these areas potentially have a large impact on the child[ssquote]s daily function and ability to learn and do well in school. To date, there have been no studies that have examined the association between the abilities. It is possible that poor memory may be related to poor attentional skills. In this study we examined the correlation between measures of visual and auditory attention and visual and verbal memory in children with intractable epilepsy.
METHODS: 42 children (20 male, 22 female) were recruited from an epilepsy-monitoring unit at a tertiary care hospital. They ranged in age from 7 to 18 years (M=13.5, SD= 2.7), with a mean age of seizure onset of 6.1 years (SD=4.0). The mean Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) was 85 (SD=18.2).
Attention measures included a test of visual sustained attention (VSA), and the Freedom from Distractibility Index (FDI) of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Verbal learning and memory were assessed with a word list learning test and delayed recall of stories. Visual memory tasks consisted of face recognition and recall of a geometric design.
RESULTS: FSIQ was correlated with all memory measures. Significant correlations were found between both measures of attention and story recall, word list learning and recall, and design recall, but not face recognition. Stepwise regressions using VSA, FDI and FSIQ as predictors showed IQ, but not attention, was a significant predictor of face recognition. FDI was the only significant predictor of the other memory measures.
CONCLUSIONS: FDI, the verbal attentional measure, was the most consistent predictor of memory in this sample of children with intractable epilepsy. Face recognition appeared unique in failing to show this relationship. FDI most likely reflects working memory, which for these children bears a stronger relation to learning and recall than IQ.
Support: The Ontario Mental Health Foundation