The impact of cerebrovascular risk factors on postoperative memory decline in patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy.

The impact of cerebrovascular risk factors on postoperative memory decline in patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2019 Nov 13;102:106558 Authors: Reyes A, Lalani SJ, Kaestner E, Hooper K, Chen A, Macari AC, Paul BM, Hermann BP, McDonald CR Abstract Cerebrovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and comorbid cardiovascular and metabolic disease have been linked to accelerated cognitive aging and dementia in the general population; however, the contribution of these comorbidities to the risk of post anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) memory decline has been unexamined. We explored the effects of CVRFs on postoperative verbal memory decline in a cohort of 22 patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy (LTLE) who completed pre- and one-year postsurgical neuropsychological testing. Diagnoses of interest included preoperative cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, as well as CVRFs [pulse pressure proxy, body mass index (BMI), and fasting glucose]. Twenty-three percent of patients had a history of cardiovascular disease, 9% of metabolic disorders, and 38% had a BMI indicating overweight or obese status. Higher preoperative BMI and glucose were associated with greater decline in verbal memory. The association between BMI and memory decline remained significant after controlling for age and left hippocampal volume. These findings suggest that modifiable health-related risk factors, including CVRFs, may impact the risk of postoperat...
Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Epilepsy Behav Source Type: research