This study investigates the anatomical and physiological basis of spatial scene recognition memory in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and temporal lobe lesions. Standard neuropsychological tests are insensitive to important memory deficits experienced by patients, particularly in spatial/scene memory, recollective experience, and familiarity processing. Using a validated virtual tour paradigm, the study examines how familiarity-based recognition and recall of spatial scenes relate to specific brain structures. In Aim I, a large cohort of patients with varied temporal lobe lesions at Emory University undergoes the virtual tour task with voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping to localize necessary brain regions. In Aim II, scalp event-related potentials and eye tracking in healthy participants at UC Davis characterize the temporal dynamics and lateralization of scene recognition. In Aim III, intracranial EEG recordings (including local field potentials and single-unit activity) in epilepsy surgery patients at UC Davis determine the precise network dynamics underlying spatial scene familiarity and recall. The long-term goal is to improve the prediction and prevention of cognitive morbidity from epilepsy surgery by providing a more complete model of spatial recognition memory circuits.
Age range
18 Years – 55 Years
Sex
ALL
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Scene familiarity discrimination accuracy
Timeframe: From enrollment until the end of eight weeks, during which time testing is scheduled (Aim II), or during the hospitalization for invasive EEG studies (Aim III). Participants in Aim I can undergo repeat testing (six months, one year, etc.)
Scene recall accuracy
Timeframe: From enrollment until the end of eight weeks, during which time testing is scheduled (Aim II), or during the hospitalization for invasive EEG studies (Aim III). Participants in Aim I can undergo repeat testing (six months, one year, etc.)
Lesion-symptom correlation for familiarity and recall (Aim I)
Timeframe: Testing is scheduled within eight weeks of enrollment for all patients, with repeat testing at six and 12 months after surgery for those enrolled pre-operatively
ERP amplitude and latency associated with familiarity and recall (Aim II)
Timeframe: During EEG recording session
Intracranial theta and gamma power and connectivity during familiarity judgments (Aim III)
Timeframe: During intracranial EEG monitoring (typically 1-2 weeks hospital stay)