Material-specific memory in temporal lobe epilepsy: effects of seizure laterality and language dominance

Neuropsychology. 2003 Jan;17(1):59-68.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of seizure laterality and language dominance on material-specific memory in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Left TLE (LTLE) patients with left-hemisphere language dominance (LHLD) showed significantly higher nonverbal than verbal memory capacity, whereas right TLE patients with LHLD showed significantly better verbal than nonverbal memory capacity. LTLE patients with non-left-hemisphere language dominance (NLHLD) showed significantly better verbal memory capacity compared with LTLE patients with LHLD. Thus, selective verbal or nonverbal memory deficits that are dependent on side of seizure onset were apparent in patients with LHLD but not in patients with NLHLD. Relative sparing of verbal memory capacity in LTLE patients with NLHLD may reflect interhemispheric reorganization of verbal memory function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / psychology
  • Brain Diseases / surgery
  • Dominance, Cerebral / physiology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / psychology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Language Tests*
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Mental Recall / physiology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Psychosurgery
  • Retention, Psychology / physiology
  • Serial Learning / physiology
  • Speech Perception / physiology
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Temporal Lobe / surgery
  • Verbal Learning / physiology*