Memory problems after epilepsy surgery

Abstract

Surgery is performed on some patients with epilepsy. This treatment is usually considered when standard medical treatment is not effective in controlling seizures, when the area of the brain from which the seizures are coming (also called “seizure focus”) can be identified, and when seizures are restricted to only one side of the brain. Approximately 80% of adult epilepsy patients who undergo this surgery have significant improvement in seizure control. More information about epilepsy surgery can be found on the next page. Memory Problems After Epilepsy Surgery One of the side effects of epilepsy surgery can be memory problems. From prior studies, the risk of this seems greater when the surgery is performed on the left side of the brain. It is unclear whether these memory problems after epilepsy surgery are any worse than in patients with poorly controlled seizures who do not have epilepsy surgery. In this issue of Neurology, Rausch et al. report a study of memory function 9 to 19 years after epilepsy surgery in patients who had left vs right-sided surgery. Both groups were compared to epilepsy patients who had similar seizure disorders and were followed for the same time period, but did not have surgery. There were 21 patients who had epilepsy surgery on the left side of the brain, 23 who had epilepsy surgery on the right side of the brain, and 8 patients who did not have surgery. Memory function and seizure control was measured in each group 1 year after the surgery, or 1 year after the surgical evaluation in the group who did not have epilepsy surgery. All groups were evaluated again at an average of 12 years later. Patients With Epilepsy Surgery on the Left Side of the Brain Have More Memory Problems The 1st year after …