| The standard operation for temporal lobe epilepsy | | | | preserved. In addition, "fimbria", which is a major |
| includes removal of the hippocampus. This is an | | | | memory tract, is also preserved. |
| undesirable option because hippocampus is a major | | | | The procedure was first performed by Dr. H Shimizu |
| player in memory formation. In addition, it a major | | | | from Tokyo, Japan (Journal of Clinical Neurosciences |
| source for stem cells which are important in the | | | | 2006:13:322-328) and recently by Dr. A Patil |
| healing process of the brain following minor strokes | | | | (Neurosurgery, 65(2):423, August 2009) at the |
| and injuries. Furthermore, faulty functioning of these | | | | University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE |
| cells may play a role in the symptoms of depression | | | | (USA). In their short series with relatively short follow |
| and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, to the above | | | | up the seizure outcome were comparable to that |
| mentioned factors, there are some patients in whom | | | | obtained by standard surgery. In addition, the verbal |
| standard procedure can not be done because they | | | | memory either improved or stayed stable; and there |
| have a higher risk for memory loss. A new procedure | | | | were no serious complication from the procedures. |
| known as "multiple hippocampal transection" (MHT) | | | | Though the series are small and the follow ups are |
| was therefore devised. | | | | short the outcomes are very encouraging. It may, |
| In the new operation seizure circuits within the | | | | therefore, be a good option for people who can not |
| hippocampus are disrupted by making multiple vertical | | | | under go the standard procedure due to the high risk |
| cuts while the functional fibers and stem cells are | | | | for memory loss. |