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Effects of temporal lobe epilepsy on spatial and figural aspects of memory for a complex geometric figure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2009

Joshua I. Breier
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
Patrick M. Plenger
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
Rosario Castillo
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
Kathleen Fuchs
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
James W. Wheless
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030 Department of Pediatrics, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
Azreena B. Thomas
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
Bonnie L. Brookshire
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
L. James Willmore
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030
Andrew Papanicolaou
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030

Abstract

The preoperative delayed memory performance on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (Lezak, 1983) of 54 patients with complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin was analyzed using 3 different indices. One index (composite) was derived using a common scoring method that included both spatial and figural aspects of memory in its score. The other two indices were derived emphasizing either spatial or figural aspects of memory for the elements of the figure separately. All 3 indices distinguished between individuals with right-sided (RTLE) and left-sided (LTLE) seizure onset. However, spatial memory was significantly lower than figural memory in individuals with RTLE as compared to those with LTLE. Both the spatial and figural memory indices were significantly lower in the presence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence for hippocampal selerosis in individuals with RTLE. Results suggest that while both the spatial and figural aspects of nonverbal memory are sensitive to right hippocampal dysfunction, figural memory may be less vulnerable to the effects of RTLE. (JINS, 1996, 2, 535–540.)

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 1996

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