The relationship between neuropsychological functioning and psychopathology in temporal lobe epileptic patients.

With the use of Goldberg's method of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) analysis, evidence has been recently provided of a positive relationship between psychopathology and deficits in neuropsychological functioning in epileptic patients. The present study attempted to replicate this finding using more precise and appropriate criteria for grouping patients according to severity of neuropsychological impairment. Application of Goldberg's MMPI Rules to 34 temporal lobe epileptic patients grouped according to their neuropsychological status (nonimpaired or impaired) failed to support these findings. Possible reasons for the discrepant results, including differing methodologies and seizure patient characteristics across studies, are discussed.