Memory in frontal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

In contrast to the well studied long-term memory dysfunction of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) syndromes, data on memory performance of frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) patients are limited and controversial. Behavioural and functional neuroimaging findings suggest that different regions within the frontal lobes contribute to long-term memory functioning, offering an explanation for the variability on memory function observed on patients with frontal lobe damage. Available evidence suggests memory dysfunction is a common finding on neuropsychological evaluation of FLE patients but prevalence and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Variability on memory performance reported in FLE studies suggest this deficit may be dependant on the areas involved in seizure generation and spread. Recent research findings and the application of cognitive fMRI paradigms to FLE patients holds the promise of increasing understanding further.