Abstract
Clinical and experimental reports regarding deficits in learning and memory as a result of subclinical epileptiform discharge are reviewed. The effects of focal epileptic discharge upon behavior are compared to the effects produced by nonepileptic lesions of the same brain areas. It is suggested that whether or not epileptogenic discharge has behavioral consequences similar to ablation of the same brain region depends upon the intensity of the discharge and the extent to which the discharge spreads from the focus. Data which support the hypothesis that seizure discharge impairs retrieval of information more severely than storage are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of several methods for producing epileptiform discharge experimentally are discussed. Finally, it is suggested that relatively long term changes in background EEG activity and cortical steady potential shifts may be the underlying physiological alterations responsible for the observed deficits, rather than simply the presence of epileptiform spike and wave discharges.
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