Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Performance in Children with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Background: Cognitive impairment represents a major but under-determined comorbidity in children with temporal lobe epilepsy. Exposure to oxidation stress may induce cellular damage and functional disruption in the developing brain.  Method: This comparative study included 42 children with newly diagnosed temporal lobe epilepsy and 42 healthy children as a control group. Cognition was assessed using Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Malondialdehyde and Advanced Oxidation Protein Products were measured as markers for oxidants while plasma catalase and total antioxidant capacity was measured as markers for antioxidants. Biomarkers of oxidation stress were correlated to clinical data and cognition scores of included children. Results: Children with temporal lobe epilepsy have significant higher circulating malondialdehyde, Advanced Oxidation Protein Products and lower catalase, total anti-oxidant capacity, and cognition ability scores than healthy controls. Cognition ability scores have significant negative correlation with malondialdehyde and Advanced Oxidation Protein Products levels and significant positive correlation with the age of onset of seizures, plasma catalase and total anti-oxidant capacity levels. Conclusion: Oxidation stress may be associated with decreased cognitive abilities in children with newly diagnosed temporal lobe epilepsy. Treatment strategy for children with newly diagnosed temporal lobe epilepsy should be adjusted to decrease oxidation stress to avoid worsening of cognitive function.