Comparison of time perception in individuals between focal and generalized epilepsy

Background: Numerous cognitive impairments have been documented in patients with epilepsy, particularly in relation to memory and executive functions. However, research on time perception is relatively limited and primarily focuses on temporal lobe epilepsy. The current study seeks to compare time perception performance between patients with focal epilepsy and those with generalized epilepsy.

Methods: A total of fifty-one individuals diagnosed with focal epilepsy and fifty-one individuals diagnosed with generalized epilepsy, which were monitored at the Epilepsy and Sleep Center, participated in this study. Initially, participants were asked to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Following this, they underwent computer-based assessments of time perception, which included the Time Estimation Test (TIET) and the Time Interval Production Test (TIPT). The intervals assessed were 4, 7, 32, and 58 s.

Results: The mean age of the sample was 32.65 years (±1.28). The sample consisted of 36 male and 66 female participants. The mean number of years of education was 12.3 years, while the mean age at disease onset was 18.7 years, and the mean duration of the disease was 13.8 years. The TIPT ratio was significantly lower in the focal epilepsy group, with recorded values of 4 s (Z = -2.540; p = 0.011) and 7 s (Z = -2.274; p = 0.023). No significant differences were observed in other parameters of time perception.

Conclusions: Research has demonstrated notable differences in time perception between individuals diagnosed with focal epilepsy and those with generalized epilepsy. The results suggest that time perception is more profoundly affected in patients with focal epilepsy in comparison to their counterparts with generalized epilepsy. Further comprehensive studies are necessary to explore the neural mechanisms that contribute to this disparity.