Auditory P300 event related potential and cognitive function in adults with drug resistant and newly diagnosed epilepsy.

Objective: Cognitive impairment associated with epilepsy affects multiple domains of cognition. We aimed to assess the cognitive function and factors affecting cognition in drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) and newly diagnosed epilepsy (NDE), compared to controls.

Methods: In adults with DRE (n = 88), NDE (n = 88) and healthy controls (n = 88), auditory event-related potential P300, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), frontal assessment battery (FAB) and digit span were assessed. The data was analyzed and compared across the groups.

Results: We found a significantly prolonged latency (p < 0.001) and reduced amplitude (p < 0.001) of P300 in DRE and NDE compared to controls. The scores of MoCA, FAB and digit span were significantly low (p < 0.001) in DRE and NDE compared to controls. Also, the P300 latency was greater, and the scores were significantly lower in DRE compared to NDE. The total seizure episode was negatively associated with MOCA (p = 0.03), FAB (p = 0.04), and backward digit span (p = 0.008) in NDE.

Conclusions: Cognitive performance was reduced in individuals with DRE and NDE compared to controls and this impairment was more for the DRE. Uncontrolled seizures and polytherapy worsen cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy.