The Interictal Behavior Syndrome of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1975.01760300118011

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Vol. 32 No. 12, December 1975

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The Interictal Behavior Syndrome of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Stephen G. Waxman, MD, PhD; Norman Geschwind, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1975;32(12):1580-1586.

Abstract

• A distinct syndrome of interictal behavior changes occursin many patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. These changesinclude alterations in sexual behavior, religiosity, and a tendencytoward extensive, and in some cases compulsive, writing anddrawing. The concomitants of abnormal limbic activity thereforeinclude behavior alterations as well as manifest seizures. Thedemonstration of interictal spike activity in temporal structuresprovides a pathophysiologic basis for this syndrome. The constellationof behavioral changes may be of great diagnostic value. In addition,it provides an example of a human behavioral syndrome associatedwith dysfunction at specific anatomic loci. The behavior syndromeof temporal lobe epilepsy may prove to be a useful model instudies on the neural substrates for behavior.

Author Affiliations

From the Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the Neurological Unit, Boston City Hospital (Drs Waxman and Geschwind), and the Aphasia Research Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine (Dr Geschwind). Drs Waxman and Geschwind are now with the Neurological Unit, Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

Footnotes

Accepted for publication Feb 4, 1975.

Reprint requests to Neurological Unit, Beth Israel Hospital,330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215 (Dr Waxman).

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