Data Sheet 1_Relationship between atypical language lateralization and cognition in pediatric patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy: role of working memory.csv

Language lateralization was quantified using a lateralization index and classified as typical left, bilateral atypical, or right atypical. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analyses, and simple linear regression models were performed.</p>Results<p>Seventeen patients were analyzed (mean age 11.65 years). Cognitive performance was globally below age expectations, with most participants classified within borderline or very low intellectual ranges.

Atypical language lateralization was observed in approximately 80% of cases, predominantly right-hemisphere organization. Bilateral atypical lateralization showed a tendency toward lower cognitive scores. Negative correlations were identified between lateralization index and working memory and visuospatial measures, although these associations lost significance after correction for multiple comparisons.

Regression analysis indicated that language organization explained part of the variance in working memory performance.</p>Discussion<p>Atypical language organization is highly prevalent in pediatric DRFE and may represent adaptive cortical reorganization. These findings highlight the relevance of fMRI language mapping for presurgical planning and understanding neurocognitive outcomes in developing brain.</p>