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How Temporal Lobe Seizures
Affect Recall and Cognition

The brain’s temporal lobe controls speech, language, memories, visions, and sounds. Seizures, which result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, can occur within the temporal lobe, and these events are often preceded by an aura, which is an odd sensation that can involve feelings of dread or déjà vu.

Temporal Lobe Seizures Can Sometimes Cause Neurocognitive Decline

In addition to the preceding aura, temporal lobe seizures are associated with symptoms like:

  • Repetitive behaviours (such as blinking)
  • Pupil dilation
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • An inability to speak or understand others

Once the seizure is resolved, these symptoms go away. However, experiencing repeated episodes of seizures over an extended period puts you at risk of neurocognitive decline, which makes thinking a lot more challenging. In this case, you may have trouble remembering things or find it hard to focus your attention. You may also experience feelings of anxiety and depression.

 

How to Reduce the Risk of Neurocognitive Decline

The best way to avoid the serious complications associated with temporal lobe seizures is to properly manage your health condition. In this case, your doctor will probably recommend medication and may encourage diet modification, as high-fat diets have been shown to improve seizure conditions in some people.

If medication is unsuccessful at treating the condition, surgery is the next option. Surgical procedures can be used to eliminate damage tissues where seizures originate, which can involve removal of part of the affected temporal lobe. Neurostimulation is another treatment option that entails implanting a device in the brain to provide incremental electrical pulses to stop seizure activity.

 

 
 
 

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