A Qualitative Analysis of Figural Memory Performance in Persons with Epilepsy

• Main Author: Hoffnung, Deborah Schrager
• Other Authors: W. Drew Gouvier
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: LSU 2002
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-0709102-143522/

This study examined nonverbal memory in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) on a figural reproduction task, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF). The Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS) was used to examine whether qualitative features of ROCF performance could discriminate between those with right and left TLE. As predicted, seizure groups did not differ on a standard quantitative scoring system for the ROCF. Contrary to prediction, the right TLE group did not perform more poorly on BQSS measures of quality or organization, and they did not have greater difficulty recalling the figure after a delay. There was a trend towards poorer performance by the right TLE group on 2 BQSS scales, those quantifying the presence or absence of elements of the figure. ROCF performance was more strongly correlated with measures of visuoperception than with additional measures of nonverbal memory. Thus, the BQSS does not appear to be assessing nonverbal memory, and the implications of the ROCF as a visuoperceptual task are discussed.