etomidate speech and memory test (eSAM)

Another less known use for etomidate is to determine speech lateralization in patients prior to performing lobectomies to remove epileptogenic centres in the brain. 

Etomidate is injected into the carotid artery and will anesthetize the ipisilateral brain hemisphere for 5–10 minutes. During such time, rudimentary speech and memory tasks are performed in order to determine if removal of a particular part of a hemisphere will affect the patients language abilities or induce severe memory impairments. 

Prior to the procedure the patient is shown a series of objects and during the procedure shown another series of objects. Once the injection has worn off, the patient is shown some of the same objects and asked whether or not they saw them that day. If the patient doesn't recognize the objects that were shown during the procedure, it is clear that the medial temporal structures that were left un-anesthetized during the procedure are not functioning properly.

Etomidate speech and memory test (eSAM) A new drug and improved intracarotid procedure - Neurology December 13, 2005 vol. 65 no. 11 1723-1729