title: Changes in individual and group spatial and verbal learning characteristics after anterior temporal lobectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) on individual and group spatial and verbal learning and memory abilities as a function of side of surgery and seizure control outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated pre- and postsurgical learning and memory abilities of 75 left-hemisphere language dominant individuals who underwent ATL (33 left, 42 right) using the 8-trial Nonverbal Selective Reminding test and the 12-trial Verbal Selective Reminding test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reliable change index methods indicated that 40.5% of individuals who underwent right-ATL had a clinically significant decline in spatial memory, and 62.5% of individuals who underwent left-ATL had a significant reduction in verbal memory. Growth curve analyses indicated that both side of surgery and poor seizure outcome independently affected the learning slope in the best fitting models. Left-ATL reduced the slope, but did not affect the overall shape, of verbal learning across trials. On the other hand, poor seizure control outcome affected the slope of spatial learning regardless of the side of surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results demonstrate both individual and group declines in spatial memory and learning after ATL. Results suggest that individuals who undergo right-ATL should be counseled regarding the likelihood of a decline in spatial memory and learning abilities after ATL. Results also suggest that individuals with poor seizure control after ATL should be referred for rehabilitation services given the significant declines in spatial and verbal memory that occurred in our sample regardless of side of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. mariodulay@aol.com
authors.forename: Mario F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dulay
authors.forename: Harvey S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Michele K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: York
authors.forename: Xiaoqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Eli M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mizrahi
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Alica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yoshor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D038481:Anterior Temporal Lobectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000601:surgery; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult