Temporal lobe epilepsy and the selective reminding test: the conventional 30-minute delay suffices

Psychol Assess. 2005 Mar;17(1):103-9. doi: 10.1037/1040-3590.17.1.103.

Abstract

Conventional memory assessment may fail to identify memory dysfunction characterized by intact recall for a relatively brief period but rapid forgetting thereafter. This study assessed learning and retention after 30-min and 24-hr delays on auditory and visual selective reminding tests (SRTs) in right (n=20) and left (n=22) temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients and controls (n=49). The left TLE group performed significantly worse than controls on all 3 trials of both tests. The right TLE group differed from the controls on all 3 visual SRT trials and on learning for the auditory SRT. There were no between-groups differences in rate of information lost at the 30-min versus the 24-hr delay. At the individual level, there was no difference in the percentage of patients versus controls who demonstrated isolated memory impairment at the 24-hr delay. Accelerated forgetting over 24 hr is uncommon in TLE patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Auditory Perception
  • Child
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Learning
  • Mental Recall*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Time Factors
  • Visual Perception