Lateralization of Memory Function in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy using Scene Memory fMRI

Surgery to treat mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) offers freedom from seizures but risks postsurgical memory decline. Lateralizing memory function is essential for mitigating the risk of resecting “eloquent” cortex. Memory laterality has traditionally been assessed using the Wada test, but it is invasive and poses its own risks. The noninvasive method of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become a possible alternative. However, questions remain about fMRI’s reliability in lateralizing memory. Our group has shown that a scene memory task is capable of activating hippocampus and lateralizing memory function. Here, we present an improved version of that experimental paradigm.