Spatial scene memory in people with temporal lobe epilepsy before epilepsy surgery
Studies how the brain recognizes places in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Spatial Scene Recognition Memory in Epilepsy Surgery
Key facts
- Where
- Atlanta and Sacramento, United StatesSee the 2 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
Source: NCT07580183, who can take part
Where in United States
- Emory University HospitalAtlanta, United StatesTaking people
- UC Davis Medical CenterSacramento, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of California, Davis
- Trial code
- NCT07580183
- Record updated
- 12 May 2026
- Original description
This study investigates the anatomical and physiological basis of spatial scene recognition memory in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and temporal lobe lesions. Standard neuropsychological tests are insensitive to important memory deficits experienced by patients, particularly in spatial/scene memory, recollective experience, and familiarity processing. Using a validated virtual tour paradigm, the study examines how familiarity-based recognition and recall of spatial scenes relate to specific brain structures. In Aim I, a large cohort of patients with varied temporal lobe lesions at Emory University undergoes the virtual tour task with voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping to localize necessary brain regions. In Aim II, scalp event-related potentials and eye tracking in healthy participants at UC Davis characterize the temporal dynamics and lateralization of scene recognition. In Aim III, intracranial EEG recordings (including local field potentials and single-unit activity) in epilepsy surgery patients at UC Davis determine the precise network dynamics underlying spatial scene familiarity and recall. The long-term goal is to improve the prediction and prevention of cognitive morbidity from epilepsy surgery by providing a more complete model of spatial recognition memory circuits.Read full original descriptionShow less
Investigations of Spatial Recognition Memory to Improve Cognitive Outcomes in Epilepsy Surgery
This study investigates the anatomical and physiological basis of spatial scene recognition memory in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and temporal lobe lesions. Standard neuropsychological tests are insensitive to important memory deficits experienced by patients, particularly in spatial/scene memory, recollective experience, and familiarity processing. Using a validated virtual tour paradigm, the study examines how familiarity-based recognition and recall of spatial scenes relate to specific brain structures. In Aim I, a large cohort of patients with varied temporal lobe lesions at Emory University undergoes the virtual tour task with voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping to localize necessary brain regions. In Aim II, scalp event-related potentials and eye tracking in healthy participants at UC Davis characterize the temporal dynamics and lateralization of scene recognition. In Aim III, intracranial EEG recordings (including local field potentials and single-unit activity) in epilepsy surgery patients at UC Davis determine the precise network dynamics underlying spatial scene familiarity and recall. The long-term goal is to improve the prediction and prevention of cognitive morbidity from epilepsy surgery by providing a more complete model of spatial recognition memory circuits.
Inclusion: Age 18 years or older; For Aims I and III: Diagnosis of focal epilepsy or temporal lobe lesion; patients undergoing evaluation for or having undergone epilepsy surgery; For Aim II: Healthy adult participants; Full-Scale IQ ≥ 70; English proficiency sufficient to understand and complete the task; For Aim I: Enrolled in or eligible for Emory University epilepsy surgery research registry; For Aim III: Undergoing clinically indicated stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) at UC Davis Medical Center; Able to provide informed consent (or for Aim I retrospective component, prior consent in Emory registry).
Exclusion: For Aim II: History of neurological or psychiatric disorder (as applicable per study protocol); For Aim III: Age > 55 years; Full-Scale IQ < 70; Inability to provide informed consent.