An exploration of semantic memory in the temporal lobe epilepsy population following unilateral resection. Sheeba Ehsan May 2014 Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Staffordshire and Keele Universities for the jointly awarded degree of Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Thesis Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to add to the knowledge base on semantic memory (SM) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) following unilateral resection. Method: A systematically informed literature review was completed to identify existing literature. By reviewing the literature, a shortage of studies evaluating SM in this patient group was identified. It also highlighted disparity in objective measurement of SM. An under representation of subjective measurement via self-report was discovered, no apparent reason for this was identified. This literature review informed and provided the rationale behind a correlational study between objective and subjective assessment of SM. Using a case series methodology, SM was reviewed in a sample of 20 people with TLE who had undergone surgery. The aim was to compare self-reported SM difficulties with a standardised SM assessment. Self-report was also explored using content analysis to look at quality of life. Results: There was one significant finding with respect to self-report and neuropsychological tests, this was between self-reported problems with ‘understanding conversations’ and The 64-Naming Test, taken from the Cambridge Semantic Battery (Bozeat et al., 2000). Sensitive measures and sensitive questioning of SM were found to aid identification of changes in SM. In general, self-report ratings of memory were not significantly correlated with objective neuropsychological testing. Exploration of self-report data highlighted that an equal number of left (78%) and right TLE (73%) patients reported problems with SM. Five key themes were identified representing positive and negative factors post-surgery; emotional issues (65%) and adjustment issues (55%) predominated. Psychological issues seemed to reflect reports of depression more than anxiety. Discussion: Participants post-surgery were more sensitive to naming impairments than other forms of SM impairments. Self-report of naming impairments may indicate semantic processing difficulties, and therefore may be a valuable method to aid clinical assessment. Conclusions: Supplementing objective measurement with sensitive self-report assessment is useful in clinical practice.