Left Temporal Lobectomy and Subsequent verbal Memory Functions

Neuropsychology has long depended on the use of case studies to illustrate principles of cerebral functioning. For example, the classic case of H.M. illustrated the important role of the temporal regions and the hippocampus in memory functions . For the current paper, a series of neuropsychological evaluations were undertaken with an individual who received a left temporal lobectomy in an effort to reduce intractable seizures. While the surgery was successful, the individual demonstrated a significant gradual decrement in verbal memory functions while maintaining good intellect. The current findings were notably milder than the degree of deficits described for H.M. However, the results of the case study support the significance of the left temporal regions in verbal memory functioning. These findings suggest that continued local cortical stimulation may be necessary for the maintenance of adequate functional abilities in normal verbal memory.