[New approaches to the study of memory impairment in epileptics]

Some memory functions were evaluated in 56 adult epileptic patients. A memory battery scale with verbal and visual material was used. Patients' scores were statistically worse than those of controls matched according for age and cultural level. No differences were observed between generalized and complex partial epilepsies. Left interictal E.E.G. abnormalities were correlated with verbal efficiency impairment. Length of illness and seizure frequency were consistently correlated with poor memory ability. Surprisingly antiepileptic drugs were not a major factors. However, none of these parameters if considered alone accounts for this impairment, which is obviously multifactorial. These poor memory performances are mainly due to a learning decrement. Epileptic patients have difficulties to learn but they well remember what they have learnt.