Verbal and spatial learning after temporal lobe excisions in children: an adaptation of the Grober and Buschke procedure.

ABSTRACT

Using an adaptation of Grober and Buschke's procedure, we assessed verbal and visuospatial learning abilities in 16 children after left or right anteromesial temporal resection and 16 healthy controls to evaluate material-specific memory deficits. All children had relatively well-preserved verbal and spatial learning capacities after unilateral temporal resection. Children who had left temporal resection showed impaired verbal memory performance despite semantic control by cued recall. No memory deficits with visual material were detected in children who underwent right anteromesial temporal resection. Grober and Buschke's procedure appears relevant for the detection of verbal memory disorders in children with left-sided temporal resection.