Brain-Behavior Relationships

Overview of Topics

Anterior Temporal Cortex
Dysfunctions associated with Lesions
Assessment Strategies
References

Middle Temporal Cortex
Dysfunctions associated with Lesions
Assessment Strategies
References

Anterior Temporal Cortex

Performs basic Auditory processing of auditory stimuli that are shorter in duration than similar stimuli processed more posteriorly in the temporal lobe (9). Also processes some visual material (6, 7).

1. Auditory memory disturbance (10)
2. Left anterior temporal lobe damage impairs learning and retention of verbal material (7, 8, 5) regardless of whether material is auditorily or visually presented (7, 1) and regardless of whether patient is tested using recall or recognition techniques (7, 6).
3. Left anterior temporal lobe does not affect memory for places, faces, melodies- etc. (7).
   • Right anterior temporal lobe damage impairs recognition and recall of visual and auditory patterns that do not lend themselves to verbal coding (6, 7).
4. Difficulty remembering short auditory stimulation (9).
5. Deja vu (1, 10).
6. Hallucinations (auditory and/or visual) (2, 11).
7. Disinhibited social behavior (4).

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B. Assessment Strategies for Anterior Temporal Lobe Lesions

1. Paired associates (8)
   Seashore Rhythm Test
2. Left vs. right
   • Paired Associates (8)
     Verbal Story for Immediate Recall (11)
   • Visual Memory (11)
     Seashore Rhythm Test
   • Visual Memory (11)
     Seashore Rhythm Test
3. Repeat short and long sentences
4. Discern presence of deja vu. Presence of deja vu does not help to lateralize lesion (3).
5. Discern presence and nature of hallucinations
6. Obtain recent history concerning quality of social judgment

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References

1. Blakemore, C. & Falconer, M. Long-term effects of anterior temporal lobectomy on certain cognitive functions. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 1967, 30, 364-7.
2. Bazhin, E., Wasserman, L, Tonkonogii, 1. Auditory hallucinations and left temporal lobe pathology. Neuropsycholoigia, 13(4), 481-7, Oct. 1975.
3. Cole, M. & Zangwill, 0. Deja vu in temporal lobe epilepsy. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 1963, 26, 37-38.
4. Franzen, E. & Myers, R. Neural control of social behavior: Prefrontal and anterior temporal cortex. Neuropsychologia, 1973, 11, 141-57.
5. Milner, B. (1958). Res. Publs. Ass. Res. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 36, 244.
6. Milner, B. & Teuber, H. Alteration of perception and memory in man: reflections on methods. In L. Weiskrantz (Ed.) Analysis of behavior change, New York: Harper & Row, 1968.
7. Milner, B. Interhemispheric differences in the localization of psychological processes in man. Br. Med. Bull., 1971, 27(3), 272-277.
8. Meyer, V. & Yates, A. Intellectual changes following temporal lobectomy for psychomotor epilepsy. Journal of Neurology,Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 1955, 18, 44-52.
9. Porch, B. Profiles of aphasia: Test interpretation regarding the localization of lesions. In R. Brookshire (Ed.) Clinical aphasiology conference proceedings: Minneapolis: BRK Publishers, 1978.
10. Serafetinides, E. & Falconer, M. Speech disturbances in temporal lobe seizures: A study in 100 epileptic patients submitted to anterior temporal lobectomy, Brain, A Journal of Neurology, 1963, 86, 333-46.

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Middle Temporal Lobe

A. Dysfunctions Associated with Lesions of Middle Temporal Lobe

1. Acoustico-mnestic disorders, can't retain series of sounds, syllables or words in memory. (2, 3, 5)
   • Comprehension of individual words intact but cannot retain more than 2 or 3 at once. (2, 3, 5)
   • In mild cases, patient can retain essential elements of series but cannot remember correct order. (2, 1)
   • Problem is due to increased mutual inhibition of auditory traces. (4)
2. Do not have difficulty with phonemic learning. (2, 3, 5)
3. Difficulty reproducing words or word series under complicated conditions. (3)
4. Impaired ability to name series of objects. (2, 3)
5. Stimulation gives hallucinations, memory images, changes in state of consciousness. (6)

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B. Assessment Strategies for Middle Temporal Lobe

1. Paired associates, long vs. short series of words, verbal story for immediate recall. (7)
   • Check for comprehension of individual words in above tests.
   • If items are remembered, check for proper ordering.
   • Increase intervals between presentation of individual items in series and see if performance improves. (4)
2. Auditory Discrimination Test
3. Introduce a distraction interval before patient repeats series. (3)
4. Ask to name several objects individually and then all at once. (2)

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References

1. Luria, A. and Rapoport, H. Regional symptoms of disturbances of higher cortical functions in intercerebral tumors of the left hemisphere. Questions of Neurosurgery,1962, 4.
2. Luria, A. Neuropsychological analysis of focal brain lesions. In B. Wolman (Ed.) Handbook of Clinical Psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1965.
3. Luria, A. Higher Cortical Functions in Man. New York: Basic Books, 1966.
4. Luria, A., Sokolov, E. and Klimkousky, H. Towards a neurodynamic analysis of memory disturbances with lesions at the left temporal lobe. Neuropsychologia, 1967, 5.
5. Luria, A. The Working Brain, New York: Basic Books, 1974.
6. Penfield, W. & Roberts, L. Speech and Brain Mechanisms, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1959.
7. Strub, R. and Black, H. The Mental Status Examination in Neurology. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co., 1977,