Epilepsy and Memory: Remembering People’s Names William B. Barr, Ph.D., ABPP Chief of Neuropsychology NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine

Epilepsy and Memory 1. What is memory? 2. How is memory affected by epilepsy? 3. What can I do to improve memory?

Epilepsy and Memory Subjective Complaints Study of 55 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy: Difficulties with memory reported in 77.4%.Difficulties with memory reported in 77.4%. Reports of being “extremely bothered” by their memory disturbance in 13.2%.Reports of being “extremely bothered” by their memory disturbance in 13.2%. Over half (50.9%) feel that “seizures interfere with my memory”.Over half (50.9%) feel that “seizures interfere with my memory”. Data presented at the AES Meeting, 2003

Epilepsy and Memory Most Common Memory Complaints Questionnaire completed by 55 subjects: I forget a phone number if I don’t copy it down right away (47.3%).I forget a phone number if I don’t copy it down right away (47.3%). A word goes on the “tip of my tongue” but I can’t get it out (43.7%)A word goes on the “tip of my tongue” but I can’t get it out (43.7%) I have trouble with remembering names of people I met last week (41.8%).I have trouble with remembering names of people I met last week (41.8%). I talk to somebody on the phone and don’t remember it minutes later (34.5%)I talk to somebody on the phone and don’t remember it minutes later (34.5%) I forget what someone said to me a half an hour ago (30.9%).I forget what someone said to me a half an hour ago (30.9%). Data presented at the AES Meeting, 2003

Epilepsy and Memory 1. What is memory? 2. How is memory affected by epilepsy? 3. What can I do to improve memory?

Memory Processing EncodingStorageRetrieval

Epilepsy and Memory 1. What is memory? 2. How is memory affected by epilepsy? 3. What can I do to improve memory?

Neuropsychology of Epilepsy From Hermann and Whitman, Neurobiological Effects 2.Treatment Effects 3.Psychosocial Effects

Brain Systems Involved in Seizures

Epilepsy and Memory 1. What is memory? 2. How is memory affected by epilepsy? 3. What can I do to improve memory?

Improving Memory Indirect Methods Epilepsy - Control Seizures - Minimize Number of Medications Depression/Anxiety - Pharmacological Management - Psychotherapy - Stress Reduction Other Medical Conditions

Improving Memory Indirect Methods 1.Exercise 2.Healthy Diet 3.Good Sleep Habits

Memory Treatment 1.Pharmacological Approaches 2.Psychological Approaches

Memory Treatment Direct Pharmacological Approaches: 1.Psychostimulant Medications Developed for treatment of ADHD or Narcolepsy. Developed for treatment of ADHD or Narcolepsy. Ritalin, Provigil, Ritalin, Provigil, 2.Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors Developed for treatment of dementia. Developed for treatment of dementia. Aricept, Reminyl, Memantine Aricept, Reminyl, Memantine

Memory Treatment

Memory Strategies

1.External Strategies a)Environmental Manipulations b)Notebook, Calendar, and Checklist Systems c)Electronic Devices 2.Internal Strategies a)Mnemonics b)Outlining Techniques

Internal Strategies Mnemonics AssociationAssociation RhymingRhyming First Letter TechniquesFirst Letter Techniques Bizarre ImageryBizarre Imagery

Remembering Names

Hampstead et al., 2008, JINS

Remembering Names Hampstead et al., 2008, JINS

Memory Assessment For further information, call the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center: