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Long‐term memory impairment in patients with focal epilepsy
Author(s) -
Hoppe Christian,
Elger Christian E.,
Helmstaedter Christoph
Publication year - 2007
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.1528-1167.2007.01397.x
Subject(s) - psychology , memory impairment , epilepsy , neuropsychology , temporal lobe , audiology , semantic memory , episodic memory , neuroscience , autobiographical memory , declarative memory , childhood memory , developmental psychology , cognition , medicine
Summary In temporal lobe epilepsy, long‐term memory disturbance starts early in life mainly affecting declarative memory. Primary impairment of episodic memory often results in reduced semantic and autobiographic memory. Neuropsychological performance predicts academic achievement and everyday life functioning while subjective memory complaints are highly correlated with depression. Memory impairment is also influenced by initial brain damage, developmental retardation and dynamic factors (e.g., seizure frequency, medication). Damage of functional tissue, low mental reserve capacity, and poor seizure outcome increase the risk for postsurgical memory impairment whereas functional release due to seizure freedom counteracts negative impact. Preliminary findings indicate that postsurgical training improves memory deficits and encourage further research.