Category-Specific Naming and Recognition in Epilepsy

描述（由申请人提供）： 我们相信，彻底检查颞叶癫痫（TLE）患者的类别特异性识别和命名能力，这些患者在各自手术前后都得到了充分的研究，可以解决存在的关于神经基质和类别特异性信息组织的不一致性。在术前和术后使用专门设计的神经认知测试、定量体积MRI和术中语言评估对类别特异性功能进行系统探索，将使我们能够确定TL部位、潜在中介变量（例如，非典型命名位点、癫痫持续时间），以及表现出类别特异性缺陷的患者的命名/识别功能紊乱。我们采用了达马西奥的“中介/收敛区”模型的语义记忆作为一个启发式的框架，以产生可检验的假设，探索这些赤字。基于这个模型，我们可以预期TL切除后会经常发生类别特异性缺陷，我们实验室获得的初步数据支持这一预测。这些赤字经常错过了常用的命名措施，尽管有证据表明，他们损害神经认知和功能状态。阐明这些结构将导致更精确的语义记忆模型，并可能揭示一些接受TL切除术的患者有经历显着的类别特异性缺陷的风险。这些发现可能导致手术技术和手术候选人选择的变化，并有助于改善神经认知结果。PI是UW神经病学系的神经心理学家/助理教授，可以利用一个完善的癫痫项目的资源和患者人群。这项提议如果得到资助，将使他能够发展必要的技能，将他的神经心理学训练与神经成像和相关技术的进步相结合，以更精确地研究大脑行为关系，同时使他成为独立的临床科学家。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We believe that a thorough examination of category-specific recognition and naming abilities in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients who have been well-studied before and after respective surgery can resolve inconsistencies that exist regarding the neural substrates and organization of category-specific information. Systematic exploration of category-specific functions both pre- and postoperatively with specially designed neurocognitive tests, quantitative volumetric MRI, and intraoperative language assessment will allow us to determine the relationship between TL sites, potential mediating variables (e.g., atypical naming sites, epilepsy duration), and the naming/recognition functions disturbed in patients exhibiting category specific deficits. We have employed Damasio's "mediational/convergence zone" model of semantic memory as a heuristic framework to generate testable hypotheses for exploring these deficits. Based on this model, one would expect category-specific deficits to routinely occur following TL resections, and preliminary data obtained in our lab support this prediction. These deficits are frequently missed by commonly employed naming measures, despite evidence that they compromise neurocognitive and functional status. Elucidating these constructs will lead to more precise models of semantic memory, and may reveal that some patients undergoing TL resection are at risk for experiencing significant category-specific deficits. Such findings could lead to changes in surgical technique and the selection of surgical candidates, and contribute to improvements in neurocognitive outcome. The PI, who serves as a neuropsychologist/Assistant Professor in the UW Department of Neurology, can draw upon the resources and patient population of a well established epilepsy program. This proposal, if funded, would enable him to develop the necessary skills to mesh his neuropsychological training with advances in neuroimaging and related technologies in an effort to more precisely study brain-behavior relationships, while establishing him as an independent clinician scientist.