Background: Neuropsychological study of new-onset idiopathic epilepsy is considered an exciting opportunity to document cognitive effects of epilepsy before initiation of antiepileptic drugs. Recent studies revealed significant affection of executive functions in new onset seizure without medication. Aim of the Work: To evaluate cognitive functions including (IQ, visual memory and executive functions) in patients with idiopathic epilepsy at onset of disorder before drug treatment or within one week of treatment. Patients and Methods: An observational case -control study was conducted on 30 patients with new onset idiopathic epilepsy recruited from the outpatient clinic of the department of neurology (Ain Shams
University) and 30 healthy cross matched control in the period from June 2016 to June 2018. Both patients and control were subjected to cognitive assessments (Wechsler IQ, Benton visual retention test and Wisconsin card sorting test).
Results:In our study we found significant poor performance of patient group before treatment compared to control group in all domains of intellectual abilities measured by Wechsler IQ test (verbal IQ, performance IQ and total IQ), visual memory measured by Benton visual retention test (obtained correct score, expected error scores and difference between them, obtained error score and expected error score and difference between them) and executive functions measured
by Wisconsin card sorting test (conceptual level, category completed, perseverative errors and non-perseverative errors).
Conclusion: cognitive functions impairment including (intellectual level, visual memory and executive functions) were found in patients with idiopathic epilepsy at onset of epilepsy and before treatment.