Cognitive Analysis in Spanish-Speaking Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients

ODDO S, SOLIS P, CONSALVO D, GIAGANTE B, SILVA W, D`ALESSIO L, CENTURION E, SAIDON P, KOCHEN S.

Boston

Congreso; Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society; 2003

American Epilepsy Society

The aim of this study was to analyse the basal cognitive status in temporal lobe epilepsy patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HE), to determine their cognitive profile and to correlate memory deficits with MRI lesion. Methods: We selected 71 patients (p) with temporal lobe epilepsy and HE. All the p were evaluated with a Neuropsychological protocol that had been designed specifically by our group. This protocol includes the assessment of intelligence, attention, handedness, verbal memory, visual memory, language, and executive function. The results were standardized for their analysis. We used c2 test, a pearson and spearman correlation test, and a multiple regression logistic model. Results: From the total population evaluated, 66% (47p), have memory deficits. Patients were divided in four groups for their analysis: patients without memory deficits, (n=25); verbal memory deficits (n=21), visual memory deficits (n=17), and both memory deficits (n=8). We found a correlation of 70% between MRI and material specific memory deficits. In a 46% (33p) we found language deficits, especially anomias. Executive-functions deficit were observed in 25% (18p.). Conclusions: The neuropsychological profile was characterized by material specific (visual/verbal) memory deficits. Correlations with this deficits an HE was observed in a high percent of p. Neuropsychological evaluation contributes important information on the epileptogenic zone localization in temporal lobe epilepsy.