NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
If an individual is considered a possible candidate for epilepsy surgery, a presurgical neuropsychological evaluation is performed as part of a comprehensive workup in order to assess the patient’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and provide a baseline with which to compare postsurgical functioning. Results of the presurgical evaluation may also shed light on localization and lateralization of seizures (i. e., whether the findings are consistent with a right or left hemisphere seizure focus and are consistent with all other obtained data). Results are also used to help neurosurgical planning to avoid cognitive decline postoperatively. In addition to standard neuropsychological testing, Wada and/or cortical brain mapping procedures are sometimes performed to help decrease the likelihood of postoperative cognitive decline. Six to 12 months following epilepsy surgery, these individuals are then referred for a postsurgical neuropsychological evaluation to assess for any changes in cognitive functioning that may have occurred as a result of the surgery. The results of the postsurgical evaluation can be used to determine the need for cognitive rehabilitation, academic accommodations, and/or vocational counseling.