Perioperative Changes in Episodic Memory in Patients Undergoing Brain Tumor Surgery: A Longitudinal Study of Clinical Determinants

Background/Objectives: Episodic memory impairment is common in patients with intracranial tumors and has significant implications for clinical management. Memory is often treated as a unitary construct, and parameter-specific patterns and perioperative changes remain poorly understood. This study aimed to examine different memory parameters, their temporal dynamics, and clinical predictors of impairment.

Methods

This observational study included 76 patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumors, assessed preoperatively and at one week and three months postoperatively. Episodic memory was evaluated using a standardized word-list learning paradigm, yielding measures of immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition. Performance was classified using age-adjusted z-scores, and relevant intraindividual changes were examined. Risk factors for impairment were analyzed using logistic regression.