{
    "abstract": "This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of current neuropsychology referral methods for children with epilepsy and develop data-informed recommendations for use of performance-based cognitive screening measures to improve these processes.\nChildren with epilepsy who had been referred to neuropsychology (n\u2009=\u200951) or had never been referred (n\u2009=\u200934) completed four brief tablet-based screening tests from the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery along with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Demographics, medical information, and parent questionnaires were gathered.\nMean performance on the neuropsychological test battery was worse in the referral group (p\u2009=\u2009.008, d\u2009=\u2009.52), but percentage of patients who presented with cognitive impairment (at least two scores 1.5 SD below the mean) did not differ. Demographics did not predict performance on the comprehensive neurocognitive battery (p\u2009=\u2009.46, \nBrief and easy to administer performance-based cognitive screening may add value and reduce bias when making decisions about neuropsychology referrals for children with epilepsy. An ideal clinical model could include neuropsychology consultation with chart review, clinical interview, questionnaires, and brief cognitive screening to inform referrals for more comprehensive evaluation. In settings where this is not possible, cognitive screening may be a useful and minimally resource-intensive method for informing referral decisions.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Neuropsychology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.\nDepartment of Neurosciences, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA.\nDepartment of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.",
            "firstname": "Kristina E",
            "initials": "KE",
            "lastname": "Patrick"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Neurosciences, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA.",
            "firstname": "Allison N",
            "initials": "AN",
            "lastname": "Shields"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Neuropsychology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.\nCenter for Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.",
            "firstname": "Holly A",
            "initials": "HA",
            "lastname": "Dustin"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Division of Neurology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.\nDepartment of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.",
            "firstname": "Anup D",
            "initials": "AD",
            "lastname": "Patel"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Neuropsychology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.\nDepartment of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.",
            "firstname": "Kelly",
            "initials": "K",
            "lastname": "McNally"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": null,
    "copyrights": "\u00a9 2025 International League Against Epilepsy.",
    "doi": "10.1111/epi.18421",
    "journal": "Epilepsia",
    "keywords": [
        "Dimensional Change Card Sort",
        "Flanker",
        "NIH Toolbox",
        "Pattern Comparison Test",
        "Picture Vocabulary Test"
    ],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "2025-04-27",
    "pubmed_id": "40286280",
    "results": "Mean performance on the neuropsychological test battery was worse in the referral group (p\u2009=\u2009.008, d\u2009=\u2009.52), but percentage of patients who presented with cognitive impairment (at least two scores 1.5 SD below the mean) did not differ. Demographics did not predict performance on the comprehensive neurocognitive battery (p\u2009=\u2009.46, ",
    "title": "Cognitive screening informs referrals for neuropsychological evaluation in children with epilepsy.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788503d7fdd0>"
}