Epileptiform EEG discharges (EED) are a frequent finding in people with epilepsy, and may occur in other clinical conditions. Formal testing during EEG recording may demonstrate transitory cognitive impairment (TCI). Thirty patients (27 with epilepsy) with generalized or diffuse EED on a previous examination were studied. The interaction between EED and cognitive tasks was evaluated on subsequent EEG. The numbers of correct or incorrect answers were compared with the occurrence or absence of EED. Results were analyzed by non parametric tests. TCI was characterized in 43.3% of the patients. In 23.3% the EED were rare and it was not possible to evaluate the occurrence of TCI. The findings confirm that otherwise subclinical EED may be accompanied by TCI. There is a need of researchs to evaluate the relevance of TCI and to determine when EED should be treated.
epilepsy; electroencephalography; epileptiform activity; cognition
