Verbal learning and memory of 56 adults with newly diagnosed partial epilepsy and no other known brain pathology were compared with memory performance of a normal control group. Memory was evaluated with a list learning test and with recall of logical prose under both immediate and delayed recall conditions. The patients and the controls did not differ in immediate and delayed recall of logical prose. Also learning and immediate recall of the word list was comparable in both groups. After delay the patients recalled fewer words than the control group (P < 0.001), and the percent retention of words was lower in the patients (P < 0.001). The patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy more frequently exhibited mild verbal memory dysfunction as shown in delayed recall of word list. Moderate memory impairment is seen in a group of patients who have deficits in immediate and delayed memory. Follow-up is needed to find out whether patients with memory deficits at the time of diagnosis are those who develop intractable chronic epilepsy.