Tele-neuropsychological assessment in children with self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine has gained increasing prominence in healthcare services, with neuropsychological tele-assessment emerging as a promising tool for evaluating and monitoring cognitive functions remotely, even in clinical conditions with mild vulnerabilities. Despite its growing application in adults, its use in pediatric clinical contexts remains understudied. Among pediatric disorders, Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTs) may feature subtle neuropsychological deficits, particularly in higher order cognitive processes such as Executive Functions (EF), and in learning skills. Early tele-neuropsychological assessment can help delineate the neuropsychological profile in this population. METHOD: The feasibility of a fully remote neuropsychological assessment protocol in children with SeLECTs was examined. Forty-seven children (aged 6-13) were recruited, of whom 43 underwent the assessment. Two online sessions via Google Meet and web-based platforms (TeleFE battery), to assess children's cognitive and executive functioning were conducted. Clinicians evaluated the children's engagement and parents completed remote questionnaires addressing academic performances, EF-related behaviors, and feasibility of the procedure. RESULTS: The protocol demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability, with participants' strong compliance and no major technical issues. Descriptive analyses highlighted the presence of vulnerabilities in executive functioning and school achievement in children with SeLECTs. DISCUSSION: These findings support the clinical relevance of remote neuropsychological assessment in pediatric epilepsy, offering a scalable and accessible tool to enhance care.