An investigation of extra-temporal deficits in temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent seizures arising from temporal lobe structures. Circumscribed unilateral focal seizures of temporal lobe origin have been associated with cognitive deficits outside of the seizure focus site in the medial temporal lobe (Corcoran & Upton, 1993; Hermann & Seidenberg, 1995; Trennery & Jack, 1994). The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that extratemporal deficits exist among patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy. Presurgical test data from eighty patients with simple or complex partial seizures were examined for the purposes of exploring extratemporal impairment of function. Postsurgical test data were also examined for evidence of recovery of cognitive function. It was predicted that extratemporal deficits would be more prominent among patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy than among patients with right temporal lobe epilepsy. These deficits represent impairment of ipsilateral frontal and contralateral temporal lobe regions. It was also hypothesized that post-surgical recovery of function would occur in patients with good seizure control as compared to patients with poor seizure control. Extratemporal deficits were established in frontal and contralateral regions. These deficits were not more apparent in the left temporal lobe epilepsy group than in the right temporal lobe epilepsy group. Post-surgical scores did not reflect recovery of function in patients with good seizure control as compared to patients with poor seizure control on measures of extratemporal functions.Ph.D., Clinical Psychology -- Drexel University, 201