Faculty Collaboration Database

Assessing effort during neuropsychological evaluation with the TOMM in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Child Neuropsychol 2009 Nov;15(6):521-31

Date

05/09/2009

Pubmed ID

19424879

DOI

10.1080/09297040902748226

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-75649139146 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   58 Citations

Abstract

Effort assessment is of particular importance in pediatric epilepsy where neuropsychological findings may influence treatment decisions, especially if surgical interventions are being considered. The present investigation examines the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) in 60 children and adolescents with epilepsy. The overall pass rate for the sample was 90%. TOMM scores were unrelated to age, though there was a significant correlation between TOMM Trial 2 scores and intelligence estimates. Overall, the TOMM appears to be a valid measure of effort in young epilepsy patients, though caution should be used when interpreting scores for those with very low IQ, especially if behavioral problems are also evident. Caution should also be exercised in interpreting scores in children with ongoing interictal epileptiform activity that may disrupt attention.

Author List

Macallister WS, Nakhutina L, Bender HA, Karantzoulis S, Carlson C

Author

Chad Carlson MD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Attention
Child
Epilepsy
Female
Humans
Intelligence
Male
Malingering
Memory
Motivation
Neuropsychological Tests