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Memory Outcome after Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: One‐year Follow‐up
Author(s) -
Gleissner Ulrike,
Helmstaedter Christoph,
Schramm Johannes,
Elger Christian E.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.0013-9580.2004.42203.x
Subject(s) - verbal memory , temporal lobe , epilepsy , medicine , epilepsy surgery , anesthesia , anterior temporal lobectomy , psychology , surgery , psychiatry , cognition
Summary: Purpose: In a previous study we reported clinically significant memory declines 3 months after selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) in 140 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, particularly if the resection was left‐sided. We supposed that the observed postoperative impairments might have reflected acute effects of surgery. Therefore we evaluated in the present study whether a recovery can be found 1 year after surgery. Methods: Verbal and nonverbal memory functions were assessed in 115 patients before and 3 and 12 months after unilateral SAH. Results: No recovery of postoperative verbal memory declines was found in the left‐SAH group. Clinically meaningful losses were still evident in 33 to 50% of patients. In right‐SAH patients, a recovery of verbal memory was indicated, and effects of surgical complications were no longer evident. One year after surgery, the corresponding preoperative performance was the only significant predictor of a postoperative change in the left‐SAH group. Conclusions: Verbal memory decline observed 3 months after left SAH is persistent 1 year after surgery. Declines in verbal memory, which were observed in some right‐SAH patients at the short‐term follow‐up, seem to be temporary.