1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Memory Processing EncodingStorageRetrieval

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

8. Neuropsychology of Epilepsy From Hermann and Whitman, 1984 1.Neurobiological Effects 2.Treatment Effects 3.Psychosocial Effects

9. Brain Systems Involved in Seizures

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

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

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

13. Memory Treatment 1.Pharmacological Approaches 2.Psychological Approaches

14. 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

15. Memory Treatment

16. Memory Strategies

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

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

19. Remembering Names

20. Hampstead et al., 2008, JINS

21. Remembering Names Hampstead et al., 2008, JINS

22. Memory Assessment For further information, call the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center: 212-263-8317