Why might your doctor deny memory problems when your IQ is normal after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery?
IQ tests measure general intelligence, but they don't capture the specific types of memory problems that temporal lobe epilepsy surgery can cause. Your overall intelligence can remain intact while you still experience real Show Full Answer
Why might your doctor deny memory problems when your IQ is normal after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery?
IQ tests measure general intelligence, but they don't capture the specific types of memory problems that temporal lobe epilepsy surgery can cause. Your overall intelligence can remain intact while you still experience real memory difficulties.
Temporal lobe surgery can affect specific memory functions depending on which side was operated on:
- Left temporal lobe surgery may worsen verbal memory
- Right temporal lobe surgery may worsen visual memory
- Some memory tasks may actually improve after surgery, like attention and working memory
The type of memory most affected by temporal lobe epilepsy is episodic memory - remembering events from your life. This is different from semantic memory (general knowledge) or the abilities measured by IQ tests.
It's important to advocate for yourself. Consider asking for specific memory testing beyond standard IQ assessments. Neuropsychological evaluations can identify the particular memory challenges you're experiencing, even when general intelligence scores appear normal.
Working with specialists like occupational therapists or speech-language pathologists can also help you develop strategies to manage memory problems that standard tests might not fully capture.
AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to
diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.
How Does Epilepsy Affect Memory?
February 24
@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member
I have temporal lobe seizures. Before they started I could remember pretty much everything but the very moment my temporal lobe seizures started I no longer could/can remember anything. I’ve researched this and found how the temporal lobe is where your hippocampus is located. The hippocampus is the part of your brain that remembers things so the dead brain cells in our temporal lobe steal our memory. I’ve also heard how repetitive seizures cause our brain to harden and shrink which reduces our brain cells
Mentioned Users
A MyEpile...
February 24 (edited)
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