How do seizures change thinking?
A seizure can disrupt the area of the brain in charge of a particular function. So if seizures happen in the area in charge of language, you may not be able to name an object when you see it.
Seizures can also stop the communication between different areas. The lines are cut, so to speak. Even though you may know the name of an object, the part of the brain that knows can't tell the rest of your brain. The name is lost. One thing to remember is that where seizures start tells what function may be affected. If seizures start in several areas, or are generalized, they may affect many different functions.
Memory
Buried deep inside the temporal lobe is the hippocampus (hip-o-CAM-pus). This strange-looking thing is responsible for receiving new information and storing it. However, it only stores information for a short time. Then, if the information seems important, it ships it to a different section of the brain for long-term storage. Once the information is needed again, the hippocampus helps retrieve it. The hippocampus is the ultimate librarian.
The amygdala (a-MIG-dah-lah) is also very important to memory. This structure is responsible for basic emotions, such as fear, anger, and sexual attraction. When a person, place, or thing causes an emotional reaction, the amygdala attaches the emotion to the memory.
How do seizures affect memory?
Seizures, especially ones that start in the temporal lobe, can cause a major blow to the hippocampus. The hippocampus is very sensitive to changes in brain activity. If seizures starting here go untreated, the hippocampus starts to harden and shrink. Then it is as if the librarian has gone on strike. Information may be stored, but in a disorganized way. No one is there to find what you need. You may find what you need after a great deal of searching, or you may not find it at all. Luckily, there is one hippocampus on each side of the brain. So if one is affected by seizures, the other can help pick up the slack.
