Verbal and nonverbal fluency performance before and after seizure surgery.
The utility of verbal (FAS) and nonverbal (Ruff Figural Fluency Test: RFFT) fluency tests for detecting deficits associated with focal seizures and surgical interventions was examined. The patients were 174 adults with intractable epilepsy who underwent epilepsy surgery: 152 temporal lobectomies and 22 frontal lobectomies. The results of the study suggest that the RFFT is somewhat superior to FAS in its ability to discriminate between frontal and temporal seizure foci, and is a useful component of preoperative neuropsychological batteries. Conversely, FAS appears more useful in detecting changes in neurocognitive outcome related to side of surgery. Controlling for postsurgical seizure outcome did not change the results, although continued seizures did have a deleterious effect on both FAS and RFFT, regardless of site of surgery.
Suchy
Yana
Y
Cleveland DVA, Cleveland, OH, USA. yana.suchy@psych.utah.edu
Sands
Kristen
K
Chelune
Gordon J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome