Language reorganization in early onset temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

Behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have consistently shown abnormalities of language function or cortical organization in patients with well-established temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, whether these changes are present in new-onset TLE has not been studied to date. Studying such changes in new-onset TLE would provide valuable insight into the timing and factors that affect language deficits in TLE and may unmask fundamental differences in brain organization in persons who have TLE and those who do not.