Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

Abstract Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis (TLE/HS) have a distinct neuropsychological profile, but there is still debate on whether executive dysfunction is part of this profile and also whether temporal lobe surgery can modify this dysfunction. Objective: To study the presence and reversibility of executive dysfunction in patients with unilateral TLE/HS. Methods: Twenty-five patients with refractory seizures due to TLE/HS underwent presurgical evaluation which included the application of the Wiconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Nineteen were re-evaluated in follow up, at least 6 months after selective amygdalo-hippocampectomy (SAH). Twenty-two control subjects matched for age and education also performed the WCST. Results: Sixteen of the 25 patients (64%) completed fewer than four categories in the WCST whereas only 4 of the 22 controls (18%) did not complete at least four categories (p<0.005). In addition, the performance of the patients involved significantly more perseverative responses and errors compared to controls. The patient group demonstrated significant post-operative improvement in many measures of the WCST following SAH. Conclusions: These findings support the presence of executive dysfunction in patients with TLE/HS and suggest that such dysfunction can be partially reversed by selective resection of epileptogenic mesial temporal structures.

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Wisconsin card sorting test performance in patients with complex partial seizures of temporal-lobe origin

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology ◽

10.1080/01688638808408253 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 467-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 132

Author(s):

Bruce P. Hermann ◽

Allen R. Wyler ◽

E. T. Richey

Keyword(s):

Temporal Lobe ◽

Test Performance ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Partial Seizures ◽

Complex Partial Seizures ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽

Sorting Test

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A Meta-Analysis of Relationships between Measures of Wisconsin Card Sorting and Intelligence

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci9120349 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 349 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bruno Kopp ◽

Natasha Maldonado ◽

Jannik F. Scheffels ◽

Merle Hendel ◽

Florian Lange

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Intelligence Quotient ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Assessment Technique ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽

And Performance ◽

Sorting Test

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) represents a widely utilized neuropsychological assessment technique for executive function. This meta-analysis examined the discriminant validity of the WCST for the assessment of mental shifting, considered as an essential subcomponent of executive functioning, against traditional psychometric intelligence tests. A systematic search was conducted, resulting in 72 neuropsychological samples for the meta-analysis of relationships between WCST scores and a variety of intelligence quotient (IQ) domains. The study revealed low to medium-sized correlations with IQ domains across all WCST scores that could be investigated. Verbal/crystallized IQ and performance/fluid IQ were indistinguishably associated with WCST scores. To conclude, the WCST assesses cognitive functions that might be partially separable from common conceptualizations of intelligence. More vigorous initiatives to validate putative indicators of executive function against intelligence are required.

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