Systematic Review of Accelerated Long-term Forgetting in Children and Adolescents With Neuropediatric Diseases

Abstract

Purpose of ReviewAccelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) describes the phenomenon of normal learning and memory performance after short delays, but greater forgetting after longer delays, which is not objectified in standardized memory tests. The topic is attracting increasing interest due to its clinical importance. Studies investigating pediatric ALF remain rare, and no systematic review exists.Recent FindingsBased on our systematic literature search, 12 studies were found. Although most studies investigated ALF in children with epilepsy (n = 9), there is also evidence of ALF in children after traumatic brain injury (n = 1) and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (n = 1).SummaryTo date, only a dozen of studies have investigated pediatric ALF. There is evidence that ALF is not an epilepsy-specific disorder, replicating findings of studies with adult patients. Because ALF is missed using standardized assessments, we propose to add delayed time points of testing memory performance.