Executive function and memory deficits in patients with complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin

Abstract

A controlled study of the higher function constructs of patients with complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin {Temporal Lobe Epilpesy) on neuropsychological measures of memory (short-term memory, verbal memory, visual memory and learning) and executive function (perseveration response, shift-of-set, planning abilities, abstract thought). Control Group matched to Experimental group wn the variables of age, gender, race and educational level. Findings suggest that the experimental (TLE group) is impaired on all memory measures except learning. The experimental group also performs significantly poorly on all the measures of executive function. A correlation also exists between the performance by the experimental group on the measures o f memory and executive function, suggesting that depressed executive function in these patients is related to depressed memory functions.