A-166 The Beery VMI in focal Pediatric Epilepsy: Clinical Correlates and Lateralizing Value

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) is a commonly used test of visuoconstruction. While many assume this task has lateralizing value in focal epilepsy, this remains untested. The present study investigated the utility of the VMI in children and adolescents with focal, well-lateralized epilepsy. Methods: One hundred and one children and adolescents with focal epilepsy (ages 4–18, 47 males, 54 females) completed the VMI as part of their neuropsychological evaluation. Pearson and Spearman correlations assessed relations between VMI scores and epilepsy severity factors (age of onset, number of antiepileptic drugs [AEDs], seizure frequency, IQ). T-tests assessed VMI differences between left (n=56) and right (n=45) hemisphere cases and Chi-square analyses tested differences in impairment rates across groups (defined as standard scores ≤79). Results: VMI correlated significantly with IQ (r=.673, p<.001), but not age of onset (r=-.080, p=.428), seizure frequency (r=.013, p=.895), or number of AEDs (r=-.181, p=.071). Further, VMI scores did not differ between left (84.43 [16.06]) and right (81.89 [14.31]; t=.839, p=.403) sided seizures, nor did impairment rates differ (left 35.7%, right 46.7%, chi-square=1.24, p=.265). Conclusion: While the VMI is related to IQ, relations with other epilepsy variables were minimal and despite popular belief, VMI does not strongly lateralize left and right hemisphere cases likely due to functional reorganization/crowding effects that may occur in left hemisphere epilepsy.