title: Characterization of the basal temporal language area in patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy.
abstract: We evaluated 5 consecutive patients with subdural grid electrodes (including placement over the left basal temporal region) for focal resections for control of intractable epilepsy. All 5 had language dysfunction when we performed cortical stimulation over the basal temporal region (the inferior temporal gyrus, the parahippocampal gyrus) using a systematic battery of language tests. The area in which language interference could be produced began from at least 11 to 35 mm posterior to the temporal tip and ended at least 39 to 74 mm posterior to the temporal tip. The most consistently impaired language tasks were spontaneous speech and passage reading, but there was impairment of all language functions tested in some patients. Language deficits after dominant temporal lobectomy may result from resection of this area.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Burnstine
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Lesser
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uematsu
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Zinreich
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Krauss
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Vining
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D011612:Psychosurgery; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods