Cognitive Function During Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment-Refractory Epilepsy: A Pilot Study Using the Critical Flicker Fusion Test

Authors

  • Kanu Achinivu
  • Ekkehart Staufenberg
  • Christine Cull
  • Andrea E. Cavanna
  • Howard Ring

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/10874208.2012.650097

Abstract

This pilot study assessed neuro-cognitive functioning in 7 adults treated with Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for refractory epilepsy over a 12-month period. All patients were assessed using the Critical Flicker Fusion (CFF) test, a sensitive measure of the ability of the central nervous system to discriminate items of sensory information, along with a standardized battery of neuropsychological and behavioral measures. Reduction in seizure frequency and psychiatric ratings was accompanied by a selective but significant (p<.05) improvement in CFF performance. These findings suggest that the CFF test could be a useful indicator of improvement in neurocognitive functioning during VNS.

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Published

2016-08-25

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2012)

Section

SCIENTIFIC FEATURES

License

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