Temporal lobe epilepsy and memory

Abnormalities in the temporal or frontal lobes of the brain are the most common reason for memory problems in people with epilepsy. The left temporal lobe is important for verbal memories such as learning names and remembering facts for exams. Brain cell loss in this area may cause memory problems. Temporal lobe epileptic seizures are further classified. Despite years of research into the causes of epilepsy and the treatment of seizures , little attention has been paid to the causes of memory loss and depression in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy ( TLE ), the commonest drug resistant form of epilepsy in adults.

Patients with TLE often show progressing memory loss over a period of years.

A study from the Annals of Neurology followed people with this condition who were treated either medically or with surgery. This study found that chronic temporal lobe epilepsy was correlated with memory loss , but that people who were treated and had their seizures under control were able to return to normal in terms of memory functioning. It can be hard for people with TLE to become completely seizure free with seizure medicines alone, though medicines may lower the number of seizures.

People with drug-resistant medial temporal lobe epilepsy have a higher risk for memory and mood difficulties. Damage to the temporal lobe Research shows that a large portion of memory is located in a part of the brain called the temporal lobe. So if your epilepsy is caused by a tumour or lesion in the temporal lobe , this can also cause memory problems.

Animal models and clinical studies show that memory loss correlates with temporal lobe neuronal loss in temporal lobe epilepsy. Verbal memory deficit correlates with pyramidal cell loss in TLE. This is more so on the left in verbal memory loss.

The temporal lobe is responsible for the emotion process and the short-term memory. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is one of the most common idiopathic epilepsies of the adult. The syndrome of mTLE frequently involves changes in cognitive function, leading to substantial learning and memory disabilities and marked reduction of life quality. Until now, verbal and visual memory difficulties have usually been interpreted to indicate bilateral temporal lobe dysfunction and have been seen as a bad prognostic factor, both in terms of postoperative seizure control and cognitive decline.

It is responsible for emotions and short-term memory as well as processing auditory input. It helps you comprehend the sounds that. Various forms of aphasia, a disorder of speech and language. Transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) is a rare but probably underdiagnosed neurological condition which manifests as relatively brief and generally recurring episodes of amnesia caused by underlying temporal lobe epilepsy. Hi Laurie~~I experience meory problems every day.

Some days are worse than others. Memory problems can be realted to BOTH the seizure activity, and the drugs being taken for them. My memory is partly due to the type of seizures I have, because they are in the temporal lobe in the area that has memory stored in it, I also have speech deficits, as well. MEMORY IN MEDIAL TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY.

The MTL memory system is essential to declarative memory processes underlying memory for new events and facts 4. Memory complaints and deficits are commonly seen in patients with epilepsy , especially temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), where memory -related brain structures are directly involved by seizures. Nearly a third of people who have surgery to treat refractory temporal lobe epilepsy show cognitive loss after the operation. Hidden behind this overall statistic are many patients who improve, according to a report published electronically Sept.

Neurology by researchers working with John Duncan, FRCP, at the Institute of Neurology in London, UK.

Memory impairments are common in individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). It is widely accepted that individuals whose seizure focus is in the left temporal lobe (LTLE) tend to have verbal memory impairments, whereas individuals whose seizure focus is in the right. Start studying Module - Memory in temporal lobe epilepsy. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Complaints of memory difficulties are common among patients with epilepsy , particularly with temporal lobe epilepsy where memory -related brain structures are directly involved by seizure activity.

However, the reason for these complaints is often unclear and patients frequently perform normally on standard neuropsychological tests of memory. One temporal lobe is on each side of the brain, near the temples. This part of the brain controls memory , emotions, and language processing.

A temporal lobe seizure is called a focal seizure because it starts in one part of your brain.