Long-term effects of anterior temporal lobectomy on certain cognitive functions.

Abstract

Long-term clinical observation of 86 patients who had undergone removal of the dominant temporal lobe for epilepsy showed that an auditory verbal learning deficit appears after surgery. This deficit may persist for 3 or more years but thereafter progressive recovery usually occurs. The rate of recovery varies with the age of the patient at the time of surgery and the persistence of seizures. The study shows evidence of the plasticity of the brain in its learning functions. Some reorganization of the brain has taken over the functions once subserved by the dominant temporal lobe that was excised. The contralateral temporal lobe may have a role in the reorganization.