Alterations in neural oscillations related to working memory deficit in temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE

Working memory (WM) is critical for higher level cognition, but the underlying neural mechanisms are not fully understood. Impaired WM affects routine daily activities and is observed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This study investigated neural oscillations associated with different WM phases, to determine the specific neural activity linked with the phases of WM impairment.

METHODS

Patients with TLE (n = 52) and healthy volunteers (n = 35) completed a WM task, during which 34-channel electroencephalogram signals were recorded. Characteristic neural oscillation patterns during each WM phase were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Patients with TLE showed decreased theta power during the encoding phase of WM, which was associated with reduced accuracy in the WM task. Altered theta power in the frontal region of the brain during the encoding phase was associated with a longer reaction time.

CONCLUSIONS

Alterations in theta oscillation are related to WM impairment in patients with TLE and may serve as an early marker for evaluating WM deficits.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides an early marker for evaluating WM deficits in TLE.