Authors :
Presenting Author: Sarah Al-Haj-Mustafa, MSc. – Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
Christian Hoppe, PD Dr. – Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
Randi von Wrede, PD Dr.med – Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
Rainer Surges, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. – Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
Cristoph Helmstaedter, Prof. Dr. – Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
Rationale:
Since the introduction of neuropsychology at the Bonn University Clinic for Epileptology in 1986, the focus for many years was primarily on questions related to epilepsy surgery. However, over time, it appears that the patient population, their conditions, and the diagnostic questions have changed. To validate this observation, we screened the Bonn Neuropsychological Database for temporal trends over the years.
Methods:
In a retrospective analysis, assessments were categorized according to eight 4-5 year intervals from 1986 to 2024, and analyzed in respect to the diagnostic question (surgery related yes/no), the age at onset (< 20, 20-50, >50), and new-onset (within the last 12 months). For the past six years, the type of assessment (battery vs. screening) was evaluated.
Results:
Of the 13 832 first-time assessments performed between 1986 and 2024, 49% of the patients were female. The average age was 36 ± 17 years, the average age at onset was 23 ± 19 years, and the average duration of epilepsy was 13 ± 13 years. Over time, surgery-related assessments continuously decreased from 90% (1986–1990) to 9% (2020–2024) (χ² = 2832, df = 7, p < 0.0001). Comprehensive assessments became largely replaced by modular testing of partial functions and screening tests like EpiTrack+ (+ = short test versions of verbal and figural memory). The latter rose from 1% to 26% between 2018 and 2023 (