Neuropsychological correlations with fornix and hippocampus in temporal lobe epilepsy demonstrated with diffusion tensor imaging

The hippocampus is a brain structure involved in learning and memory. Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), especially those with damage to the hippocampus, often experience memory and thinking problems. This study used advanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to explore the role of a nearby structure called the fornix, which connects the hippocampus to other brain areas. We found that damage to both the hippocampus and fornix was linked to poor verbal memory, while damage to the fornix also affected thinking speed. These findings suggest that the fornix plays a broader role in brain function than previously thought.