REORGANIZATION OF VERBAL MEMORY FUNCTION IN EARLY-ONSET LEFT TEMPORAL-LOBE EPILEPSY

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the issue of reorgani sation of verbal memory function following early insult to the left me sial temporal region. It was hypothesized that reorganization of memor y function was most likely to occur in those patients with an early ag e of seizure onset who have a more limited degree of extra-hippocampal neuropathology. Fifty-four patients with epilepsy of unequivocal left temporal lobe origin were classified into four groups on the basis of the presence/absence of hippocampal sclerosis and degree of postopera tive seizure relief. Measures of verbal learning and memory as well as nonmemory measures were administered both before and 6 to 8 months af ter anterior temporal lobectomy. Findings were consistent with the reo rganization proposal. The clinical and theoretical significance of the findings are discussed. (C) 1997 Academic Press.