Neuropsychological Characteristics of Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy:Lesion Laterality-Sex Interaction

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We investigated the neuropsychological features of laterality-sex interactions in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), using a broad and comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. METHODS: Eighty-nine consecutive patients (female 46) with MTLE (left 46) were included in the study. They underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and became seizure-free for at least one year postoperatively. All patients had a language dominancy in the left hemisphere. The following neuropsychological tests including Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale (KWIS), Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Color Trails Test (CTT), were performed preoperatively. Each variable of the neuropsychological tests were analyzed with regard to laterality-sex interactions. RESULTS: General memory, verbal memory, and delayed recall of WMS-R and a executive function measured by WCST were significantly decreased in patients with left MTLE compared to those with right MTLE. However, this laterality effect especially on verbal memory and some variables of WCST including the number of category completed was observed only in female patients. Interference index of CTT had a tendency to be increased in the male patients with right MTLE. The intelligence scale of KWIS was not correlated with lesion laterality or sex. CONCLUSIONS: Laterality-sex interactions were evident for verbal memory and an executive function in female patients with MTLE. Further studies need to be done on these neuropsychological features. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(2)132~138, 2001)