“The effects of Hippocampal Sclerosis on Premembering in Refractory Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients”

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is a leading cause of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), characterized by neuronal loss and gliosis in the hippocampus. While the impact of HS on memory has been extensively studied, less attention has been given to its effects on premembering—the cognitive ability to anticipate and mentally simulate future events based on past experiences. This thesis explores the relationship between hippocampal dysfunction and deficits in premembering, with a focus on how these impairments affect patients' ability to plan, make decisions, and navigate daily life. Through a review of existing literature and analysis of neuroimaging and neuropsychological data, this study examines the neural correlates of premembering and their disruption in HS-related TLE. Findings suggest that patients with HS exhibit diminished prospective memory and impaired episodic future thinking, likely due to structural and functional alterations in the hippocampus and its connected networks. Furthermore, this research highlights the clinical implications of premembering deficits, particularly in the context of cognitive rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions aimed at improving adaptive foresight in TLE patients. By broadening the understanding of memory beyond retrospective recall to include future-oriented cognition, this study contributes to the growing recognition of premembering as a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of human cognition. The results underscore the need for further research into targeted interventions that may mitigate the cognitive and behavioral consequences of HS in TLE patients.