Differential neuropsychological test sensitivity to left temporal lobe epilepsy

David W. Loring, Esther Strauss, Bruce P. Hermann, William B. Barr, Kenneth Perrine, Max R. Trenerry, Gordon Chelune, Michael Westerveld, Gregory P. Lee, Kimford J. Meador, Stephen C. Bowden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined the sensitivity of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Boston Naming Test (BNT), and Multilingual Aphasia Examination Visual Naming subtest (MAE VN) to lateralized temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in patients who subsequently underwent anterior temporal lobectomy. For the AVLT (n = 189), left TLE patients performed more poorly than their right TLE counterparts [left TLE = 42.9 (10.6), right TLE = 47.7 (9.9); p < .002 (Cohen's d = .47)]. Although statistically significant, the CVLT group difference (n = 212) was of a smaller magnitude [left LTE = 40.7 (11.1), right TLE = 43.8 (9.9); (p < .03, Cohen's d = .29)] than the AVLT. Group differences were also present for both measures of confrontation naming ability [BNT: left LTE = 43.1 (8.9), right TLE = 48.1 (8.9); p < .001 (Cohen's d = .56); MAE VN: left TLE = 42.2, right TLE = 45.6, p = .02 (Cohen's d = .36)]. When these data were modeled in independent logistic regression analyses, the AVLT and BNT both significantly predicted side of seizure focus, although the positive likelihood ratios were modest. In the subset of 108 patients receiving both BNT and AVLT, the AVLT was the only significant predictor of seizure laterality, suggesting individual patient variability regarding whether naming or memory testing may be more sensitive to lateralized TLE.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)394-400
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2008

Keywords

  • Anterior temporal lobectomy
  • Epilepsy surgery
  • Logistic models
  • Memory
  • Naming
  • Neuropsychology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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