Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsEdge :

2008 SEP 29 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to recent research from the United States, "We examined the sensitivity of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) (see also Epilepsy). 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 goup 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<.00 1 (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, (fie AVLT and BNT both significantly predicted side of seizure focus. although the positive likelihood ratios were modest," wrote D.W. Loring and colleagues, University of Florida.

The researchers concluded: "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."

Loring and colleagues published their study in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (Differential neuropsychological test sensitivity to left temporal lobe epilepsy. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 2008;14(3):394-400).

For additional information, contact D.W. Loring, University of Florida, McKnight Brain Institute, Dept. of Neurology, POB 100236, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society is: Cambridge University Press, 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473, USA.

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