Left Temporal Seizure Research Articles

Verbal memory impairment correlates with hippocampal pyramidal cell density

Thirty-five patients with medically refractory epilepsy localized to the temporal lobe (18 left, 17 right) completed the verbal Selective Reminding Test before surgery. Verbal memory impairments existed before surgery regardless of the lateralization of the seizure focus, but patients with left temporal seizure foci were significantly more impaired. After surgical removal of the mesial temporal lobe structures, 2 blinded observers established volumetric cell densities for hippocampal subfields CA1, CA2, CA3, the hilar area, and the granule cell layer of the area dentata. Statistically significant correlations existed between presurgical memory impairment and cell counts (in CA3 and the hilar area, only) for patients with left temporal seizure foci. These findings support the hippocampal model of memory and complement prior research documenting the memory impairments present after surgical removal of the mesial temporal structures.

Depression in seizure disorder

Depression, a psychiatric disorder is common and can present with various forms in seizures. Here is a seizure case with depression, as manifestation and as co-morbidity, presented to highlight the prevalence and management issues. A 35-year married female presented to a health-camp with unresponsive spells and depressive symptoms. For 5 years, she had altered consciousness spells associated with deviation of mouth and turning head to left and stiffening of right limbs, followed by GTCS every 15-90 days. The frequency increased in last 6 months. Her supportive mother-in-law died 12 months back and, she started worrying about her illness and family. Her sleep and appetite decreased. She frequently cried alone, more in 2-3 days after seizure spells, in last 7 months. She repeatedly expressed guilt and death wish, and once attempted hanging. Referral was made from the camp for hospital admission. After EEG report of ‘left temporal seizure’, mood stabilizing anti-epileptic and seizure friendly antidepressant were started with diagnosis of ‘Seizure and severe depression’. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v10i1.6010 HREN 2012; 10(1): 59-61