OBJECTIVEQuantitative EEG and event-related potential P300 were used to evaluate impairment of cerebral function in patient with partial epilepsy.

METHODSW value was calculated (power of EEG δ and θ rhythm divided by power of α and β rhythm ) for the extent of focal cortical dysfunction. The W values in left partial epilepsy group, right partial epilepsy group and control group during interictal period compared. The latency, amplitude and reaction time of P300 potential change were observed in each groups.

RESULTSThe W values in F(8), T(4) and T(6) regions in patients with left partial epilepsy (P <0.05). The W values in T(3). O(1) regions of patients with left partial epilepsy were higher than those in patients with right partial epilepsy (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the W value in T(6) regions of patients with a disease course longer than 5y was significantly higher than that of patients with a disease course 1-5 y or less than 1y; the W value in O(2) regions of patients with a disease course longer than 5y was significantly higher than that of patients with a disease course between 1-5y (P < 0.05). In patients with right or left partial epilepsy, the total abnormal rate of P300 was 54. 76%, the latency, amplitude and reaction team were significantly different to the control group. The abnormal rate of P300 in left and right partial epilepsy groups were 77. 78% and 37.50%, respectively, and the former is significantly higher than the latter. The amplitudes of P300 in C(z) and P(z) of left partial epilepsy were significantly lower than those of right partial epilepsy and control group (P < 0.05). The latency and reaction time of P300 in C(z) and P(z) of all partial epilepsy were significantly longer than those of control group (P < 0.05), however, no difference was found between left and right partial epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONIn partial epilepsy the cortical dysfunction occurs ipsilaterally to the epileptogenic zone, and extent of cortical dysfunction is positively correlated with duration of disease course. Cerebral dysfunction in left partial epilepsy is more severe than that in right partial epilepsy.