Everyday memory impairment in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy caused by hippocampal sclerosis

Author(s)

Rzezak, Patricia ; Lima, Ellen Marise ; Gargaro, Ana Carolina ; Coimbra, Erica ; de Vincentiis, Silvia ; Velasco, Tonicarlo Rodrigues ; Leite, Joao Pereira ; Busatto, Geraldo F. ; Valente, Kette D.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Epilepsy & Behavior; v. 69, p. 31-36, APR 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Objective: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy caused by hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) have episodic memory impairment. Memory has rarely been evaluated using an ecologic measure, even though performance on these tests is more related to patients' memory complaints. We aimed to measure everyday memory of patients with TLE-HS to age-and gender-matched controls. Methods: We evaluated 31 patients with TLE-HS and 34 healthy controls, without epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, using the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT), Visual Reproduction (WMS-III) and Logical Memory (WMS-III). We evaluated the impact of clinical variables such as the age of onset, epilepsy duration, AED use, history of status epilepticus, and seizure frequency on everyday memory. Statistical analyses were performed using MANCOVA with years of education as a confounding factor. Results: Patients showed worse performance than controls on traditional memory tests and in the overall score of RBMT. Patients had more difficulties to recall names, a hidden belonging, to deliver a message, object recognition, to remember a story full of details, a previously presented short route, and in time and space orientation. Clinical epilepsy variables were not associated with RBMT performance. Memory span and working memory were correlated with worse performance on RBMT. Significance: Patients with TLE-HS demonstrated deficits in everyday memory functions. A standard neuropsychological battery, designed to assess episodic memory, would not evaluate these impairments. Impairment in recalling names, routes, stories, messages, and space/time disorientation can adversely impact social adaptation, and we must consider these ecologic measures with greater attention in the neuropsychological evaluation of patients with memory complaints. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/13065-0 - The use of neurobiological signatures for the determination of elderly subject to Alzheimer’s disease
• Grantee: Patricia Rzezak Tencer
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/50329-6 - Translational neuroscience of Alzheimer's disease: preclinical and clinical studies of b-amyloid peptide and other biomarkers
• Grantee: Geraldo Busatto Filho
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/11361-4 - Association study of polymorphisms in serotoninergic pathway and temporal lobe epilepsy caused by hippocampal sclerosis
• Grantee: Kette Dualibi Ramos Valente
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/09025-3 - Executive and memory functions of patients with mesial temporal sclerosis: association between neuropsychological evaluation and new neuroimage techniques
• Grantee: Geraldo Busatto Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants