Verbal memory decline is less frequent at 10Â years than at 2Â years after temporal lobe surgery for epilepsy

► We investigated individual verbal memory at 2 years and 10 years after TLR for epilepsy. ► Fifty-one patients were tested on learning/immediate and delayed recalls. ► Changes were defined using reliable change indices of 23 healthy controls. ► Fewer patients had reliable declines at 10 years than at 2 years. ► More patients showed partial recovery than lasting decline across time.