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Memory performance during the Amytal test in patients with non-temporal lobe epilepsy
R M Dasheiff1, J Shelton, C Ryan
1University of Pittsburgh Epilepsy Center, PA 15213.
Archives of Neurology
|July 1, 1993
Summary
The amobarbital (Amytal) sodium test shows high failure rates in epilepsy patients, questioning its accuracy for predicting memory deficits. This suggests the test may be sensitive to memory dysfunction but lacks specificity for the amnestic syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Epileptology
Background:
- The amobarbital (Amytal) sodium test is a traditional tool for presurgical epilepsy evaluation.
- Concerns exist regarding its accuracy in predicting memory deficits, particularly the amnestic syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of the amobarbital (Amytal) sodium test in predicting memory deficits in epilepsy surgery candidates.
- To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Amytal test.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral administration of the Amytal test to epilepsy patient groups: temporal lobe (n=76), frontal lobe (n=25), and primary generalized (n=8).
- Grading of each injected hemisphere as pass or fail for memory support.
Main Results:
- Hemisphere failure rates were 31% (temporal lobe), 32% (frontal lobe), and 56% (primary generalized).
- High failure percentages were observed across different epilepsy types.
Conclusions:
- The Amytal test may indicate memory dysfunction but demonstrates a high failure rate.
- The test's high failure rate contrasts with the low incidence of amnestic syndrome, suggesting low specificity.