Effects of simultaneous vs sequential stimulus presentation on memory performance following temporal lobe resection in humans

This study examines the differential effects of simultaneous vs sequential stimulus presentation on performance of a visuo-spatial memory task in patients following unilateral temporal lobectomy for relief of complex-partial seizures. Eleven subjects with surgical resection of the left temporal lobe, 13 subjects with surgical resection of the right temporal lobe, and 12 normal controls were examined. Results indicate that both the Right and the Left surgical groups were impaired on the visuo-spatial memory task employed. Further, the Right resection group was significantly more impaired for the recall of stimuli presented in the sequential condition as compared to the simultaneous condition.