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Mirandola L, Cantalupo G, d'Orsi G, Meletti S, Vaudano AE, Di Vito L, Vignoli A, Tassi L, Pelliccia V. Ictal semiology of gelastic seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 140:109025. [PMID: 36780776 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.109025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Gelastic seizures are rare epileptic manifestations characterized by laughter or a smile. The main etiology is represented by hypothalamic hamartoma, but also focal localization of the epileptogenic zone is described. We reviewed a group of patients with gelastic seizures to describe the semiology and to establish any difference related to diverse epilepsy etiologies. Thirty-five seizures from 16 patients (6 females) were reviewed. The study confirms that hypothalamic hamartoma is the more frequent etiology associated with gelastic seizures. Laughter represented the majority of gelastic ictal signs, while the ictal smile was less frequent. In 87.5% of patients, the manifestation of laughter or smile was the only ictal phenomenon, or the first and the most important clinical sign. Interestingly, it has been observed that patients with a lesion localized in the hypothalamic region had more frequently laughter with emotional involvement and that laughter was the only manifestation of the seizure. On the contrary, patients with lesions localized outside the hypothalamic region had more often seizures with laugh without emotional involvement, resembling a more mechanical action, and associated with other semeiological signs. It, therefore, seems possible to assume that the emotional involvement and the expression of mirth during the seizure, especially in children, are more frequently associated with hypothalamic hamartoma. On the contrary, when the semiology includes less conveyed emotion similar to a mechanical action and other symptoms, an extra hypothalamic localization should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gaetano Cantalupo
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Research Center for Pediatric Epilepsies Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe d'Orsi
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (Fg), Italy; Epilepsy Center - Clinic of Nervous System Disease, Policlinico Riuniti, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefano Meletti
- Division of Neurology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Elisabetta Vaudano
- Division of Neurology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lidia Di Vito
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Aglaia Vignoli
- Childhood and Adolescence Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Niguarda Hospital Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Epilepsy Center-Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Tassi
- "Claudio Munari" Epilepsy Surgery Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Pelliccia
- "Claudio Munari" Epilepsy Surgery Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Giuliano L, Uccello D, Fatuzzo D, Mainieri G, Zappia M, Sofia V. Electroclinical findings of minor motor events during sleep in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia 2017; 58:1261-1267. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.13770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Loretta Giuliano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”; University of Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Denise Uccello
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”; University of Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Daniela Fatuzzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”; University of Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Greta Mainieri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”; University of Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Mario Zappia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”; University of Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Vito Sofia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”; University of Catania; Catania Italy
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Marchi A, Bonini F, Lagarde S, McGonigal A, Gavaret M, Scavarda D, Carron R, Aubert S, Villeneuve N, Médina Villalon S, Bénar C, Trebuchon A, Bartolomei F. Occipital and occipital "plus" epilepsies: A study of involved epileptogenic networks through SEEG quantification. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 62:104-14. [PMID: 27454330 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Revised: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Compared with temporal or frontal lobe epilepsies, the occipital lobe epilepsies (OLE) remain poorly characterized. In this study, we aimed at classifying the ictal networks involving OLE and investigated clinical features of the OLE network subtypes. We studied 194 seizures from 29 consecutive patients presenting with OLE and investigated by stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). Epileptogenicity of occipital and extraoccipital regions was quantified according to the 'epileptogenicity index' (EI) method. We found that 79% of patients showed widespread epileptogenic zone organization, involving parietal or temporal regions in addition to the occipital lobe. Two main groups of epileptogenic zone organization within occipital lobe seizures were identified: a pure occipital group and an occipital "plus" group, the latter including two further subgroups, occipitotemporal and occipitoparietal. In 29% of patients, the epileptogenic zone was found to have a bilateral organization. The most epileptogenic structure was the fusiform gyrus (mean EI: 0.53). Surgery was proposed in 18/29 patients, leading to seizure freedom in 55% (Engel Class I). Results suggest that, in patient candidates for surgery, the majority of cases are characterized by complex organization of the EZ, corresponding to the occipital plus group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Marchi
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Francesca Bonini
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Stanislas Lagarde
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Aileen McGonigal
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Martine Gavaret
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Didier Scavarda
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Paediatric Neurosurgery Department, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Romain Carron
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Functional and Stereotactical Neurosurgery Department, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Sandrine Aubert
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Nathalie Villeneuve
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Samuel Médina Villalon
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Christian Bénar
- Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Agnes Trebuchon
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Fabrice Bartolomei
- APHM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epileptology Department, Marseille 13005, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neuroscience des Systèmes, UMR_S 1106, Marseille 13005, France.
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Vaughan DN, Jackson GD. The piriform cortex and human focal epilepsy. Front Neurol 2014; 5:259. [PMID: 25538678 PMCID: PMC4259123 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2014.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
It is surprising that the piriform cortex, when compared to the hippocampus, has been given relatively little significance in human epilepsy. Like the hippocampus, it has a phylogenetically preserved three-layered cortex that is vulnerable to excitotoxic injury, has broad connections to both limbic and cortical areas, and is highly epileptogenic – being critical to the kindling process. The well-known phenomenon of early olfactory auras in temporal lobe epilepsy highlights its clinical relevance in human beings. Perhaps because it is anatomically indistinct and difficult to approach surgically, as it clasps the middle cerebral artery, it has, until now, been understandably neglected. In this review, we emphasize how its unique anatomical and functional properties, as primary olfactory cortex, predispose it to involvement in focal epilepsy. From recent convergent findings in human neuroimaging, clinical epileptology, and experimental animal models, we make the case that the piriform cortex is likely to play a facilitating and amplifying role in human focal epileptogenesis, and may influence progression to epileptic intractability.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N Vaughan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , Heidelberg, VIC , Australia ; Department of Neurology, Austin Health , Heidelberg, VIC , Australia
| | - Graeme D Jackson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , Heidelberg, VIC , Australia ; Department of Neurology, Austin Health , Heidelberg, VIC , Australia ; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
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Bertti P, Tejada J, Martins APP, Dal-Cól MLC, Terra VC, de Oliveira JAC, Velasco TR, Sakamoto AC, Garcia-Cairasco N. Looking for complexity in quantitative semiology of frontal and temporal lobe seizures using neuroethology and graph theory. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 38:81-93. [PMID: 25216767 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Epileptic syndromes and seizures are the expression of complex brain systems. Because no analysis of complexity has been applied to epileptic seizure semiology, our goal was to apply neuroethology and graph analysis to the study of the complexity of behavioral manifestations of epileptic seizures in human frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We analyzed the video recordings of 120 seizures of 18 patients with FLE and 28 seizures of 28 patients with TLE. All patients were seizure-free >1 year after surgery (Engel Class I). All patients' behavioral sequences were analyzed by means of a glossary containing all behaviors and analyzed for neuroethology (Ethomatic software). The same series were used for graph analysis (CYTOSCAPE). Behaviors, displayed as nodes, were connected by edges to other nodes according to their temporal sequence of appearance. Using neuroethology analysis, we confirmed data in the literature such as in FLE: brief/frequent seizures, complex motor behaviors, head and eye version, unilateral/bilateral tonic posturing, speech arrest, vocalization, and rapid postictal recovery and in the case of TLE: presence of epigastric aura, lateralized dystonias, impairment of consciousness/speech during ictal and postictal periods, and development of secondary generalization. Using graph analysis metrics of FLE and TLE confirmed data from flowcharts. However, because of the algorithms we used, they highlighted more powerfully the connectivity and complex associations among behaviors in a quite selective manner, depending on the origin of the seizures. The algorithms we used are commonly employed to track brain connectivity from EEG and MRI sources, which makes our study very promising for future studies of complexity in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poliana Bertti
- Neurophysiology and Experimental Neuroethology Laboratory, Physiology Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Epilepsy Surgery Center, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Julian Tejada
- Neurophysiology and Experimental Neuroethology Laboratory, Physiology Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Physics Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Philosophy, Science and Letters, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pinheiro Martins
- Epilepsy Surgery Center, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza Cleto Dal-Cól
- Neurophysiology and Experimental Neuroethology Laboratory, Physiology Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Epilepsy Surgery Center, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vera Cristina Terra
- Epilepsy Surgery Center, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - José Antônio Cortes de Oliveira
- Neurophysiology and Experimental Neuroethology Laboratory, Physiology Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Tonicarlo Rodrigues Velasco
- Epilepsy Surgery Center, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Américo Ceiki Sakamoto
- Epilepsy Surgery Center, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Neurophysiology and Experimental Neuroethology Laboratory, Physiology Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Epilepsy Surgery Center, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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Tejada J, Costa KM, Bertti P, Garcia-Cairasco N. The epilepsies: complex challenges needing complex solutions. Epilepsy Behav 2013; 26:212-28. [PMID: 23146364 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that epilepsies are complex syndromes due to their multi-factorial origins and manifestations. Different mathematical and computational descriptions use appropriate methods to address nonlinear relationships, chaotic behaviors and emergent properties. These theoretical approaches can be divided into two major categories: descriptive, such as flowcharts, graphs and other statistical analyses, and explicative, which include both realistic and abstract models. Although these modeling tools have brought great advances, a common framework to guide their design, implementation and evaluation, with the goal of future integration, is still needed. In the current review, we discuss two examples of complexity analysis that can be performed with epilepsy data: behavioral sequences of temporal lobe seizures and alterations in an experimental cellular model. We also highlight the importance of the creation of model repositories for the epileptology field and encourage the development of mathematical descriptions of complex systems, together with more accurate simulation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián Tejada
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Early ictal face wiping in frontal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2011; 20:569-71. [PMID: 21282073 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 12/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We describe two patients with medication-resistant nonlesional mesial frontal lobe epilepsy and seizures that manifested with early face wiping prior to other motor phenomena. Ictal scalp monitoring either was nonlocalizing or involved the central regions. Intracranial monitoring demonstrated anterior mesial frontal ictal low-voltage gamma activity during the face wiping activity in both patients. Habitual seizures with the same clinical characteristics were induced during extraoperative functional mapping with stimulation of the same region. Ictal activation of mesial frontal regions can elicit early ictal face wiping activity, and this clinical sign may play a role in presurgical evaluation.
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Machado RA, Mila RAS. Ictal extension (dorsiflexion) of the toes in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy: a new ictal lateralizing sign. Epilepsy Behav 2010; 18:481-4. [PMID: 20580621 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurologists have analyzed the clinical behaviors that occur during seizures for many years. Several ictal behaviors have been defined in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Ictal behaviors are especially important in the evaluation of candidates for epilepsy surgery. We propose a new ictal lateralizing sign originating from the nondominant hemisphere: extension (dorsiflexion) of the toes (Babinski's, Chaddock's, and Moniz' signs). Our patient is a 16-year-old woman. Her epileptogenic foci were localized to the right neocortical temporal region after noninvasive presurgical investigations. Cranial MRI revealed a right insular lesion compatible with focal cortical dysplasia or cortical tumor. We observed progressive movement of the left leg and, when the patient touched the lateral aspect of the foot to the bed, dorsiflexion of the great toe (Babinski's sign). In other seizures, the patient started a progressive movement of the left leg, rubbing the external border of the left foot on the bed and provoking dorsiflexion of the great toe (Chaddock's sign). The Brissaud reflex component was also observed when the movement was accompanied by internal rotation of the leg and recruitment of the tensor fascia lata, making dorsiflexion more likely to be a reflex response and not voluntary. We also observed forceful passive plantar flexion at the ankle in association with dorsiflexion of the great toe (Moniz' sign). All of these signs were contralateral to ictal seizure onset and to the cerebral epileptogenic lesion. These signs may occur as a result of ictal activation of a specific brain region in this hemisphere.
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Abstract
What are the neuroanatomical structures involved in repetitive yawning during stroke?
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically analyze the lateralizing and localizing value of ictal emotional expressions (EEs) in children and compare these results with those of earlier adult studies. METHODS Five hundred fourteen seizures of 100 consecutive children < or = 12 years with partial (61/100 temporal lobe) epilepsy and postoperative seizure free outcome were included in the study. Video recordings of seizures were reviewed by two independent investigators blinded to the patients' clinical data. RESULTS Thirty-five patients produced EE at least once during their archived seizures, including fear (15), crying (12), smile (9), pain (5), happiness (3), and laughing (in one case). Emotional symptoms were divided into two groups: positive (smile, laughing, and happiness) and negative EEs (fear, crying, and pain). Emotional expressions appeared more frequently during extratemporal (49%) than temporal (26%) lobe seizures (p < 0.05). Positive EEs had an extratemporal dominance (p < 0.05), while frequency of negative EEs did not localize the seizure onset zone. Assessing their lateralizing value, positive EEs were more frequent during right-sided seizures (p < 0.05) while negative EEs did not lateralize the seizure onset zone. Frequency of EEs were independent of patients' ages, age at epilepsy onset or duration of epilepsy. CONCLUSION This is the first comprehensive childhood study showing that ictal EEs are frequent in childhood and their localizing and lateralizing properties are different from those of adults.
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Rásonyi G, Fogarasi A, Kelemen A, Janszky J, Halász P. Lateralizing value of postictal automatisms in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2006; 70:239-43. [PMID: 16765567 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2006.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2006] [Revised: 05/02/2006] [Accepted: 05/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe clinical characteristics and lateralizing value of postictal automatisms in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS One hundred and ninety-three videotaped seizures of 55 consecutive patients with refractory TLE and postoperatively seizure-free outcome were analyzed. Ictal as well as postictal (manual, oral and speech) automatisms were monitored. RESULTS Thirty-four (62%) of the 55 patients showed PA at least once during their seizures. Postictal automatism was observed in 70 (36%) attacks as manual (21%), oral (13%) or speech (9%) automatisms. Fifteen seizures contained a combination of two different postictal automatisms. The presence of postictal oral automatisms did not lateralize the seizure onset zone (p=0.834). Speech automatisms (repetitive verbal behavior) occurred more frequently after left-sided seizures (p=0.002). Postictal unilateral manual automatism showed no lateralizing value occurring by the ipsilateral hand in 10 and the contralateral upper limb in 6 seizures (p=0.454). CONCLUSION : Postictal automatism is a relatively frequent phenomenon in TLE. Postictal speech automatism lateralizes the seizure onset zone to the left hemisphere. Our observation can help the presurgical evaluation of TLE because verbal perseveration frequently occurs spontaneously, even in seizures without appropriate postictal language testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Rásonyi
- Epilepsy Center, National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Budapest, Hungary
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Fogarasi A, Rásonyi G, Kelemen A, Janszky J, Halász P. Electrode manipulation automatism during temporal lobe seizures. Seizure 2006; 15:416-9. [PMID: 16784877 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2006.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2005] [Revised: 03/20/2006] [Accepted: 04/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe clinical characteristics and lateralizing value of peri-ictal electrode manipulation automatism (EMA) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and compare our data with ictal manual automatisms described in the literature. METHODS Two-hundred and five videotaped seizures of 55 consecutive patients with refractory TLE and postoperatively seizure-free outcome were analyzed and EMA (tugging, scratching or adjusting the electrodes and cables) were monitored. RESULTS Twenty-eight (51%) patients showed EMA during 47 (23%) seizures. Ictal start was noted in 22 seizures and in 19/22 cases EMA finished before the end of seizure. Ictal EMAs were always associated with automotor seizure components. During 25 seizures, exclusively postictal EMAs were observed. Electrode manipulation was presented during 24/112 left-sided and 23/93 right-sided seizures (p = 0.742). Peri-ictal EMA was unilateral (completed by one hand) in 24/47 seizures (10 ictal, 14 postictal); it was done by the hand ipsilateral to the seizure onset zone in 17/24 and by contralateral hand in 7/24 cases (p = 0.064). We observed concomitant contralateral dystonic posturing during 3/10 seizures with unilateral ictal EMA. Unilateral hand automatism, temporally independent from the EMA appeared in 30 (64%) of the 47 seizures. CONCLUSION Peri-ictal EMA is a frequent phenomenon but shows no lateralizing value in TLE. The mechanism of EMA is in many ways dissimilar from that of earlier described manual automatisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fogarasi
- Epilepsy Center, National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Budapest, Hungary.
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Walusinski O. Yawning: unsuspected avenue for a better understanding of arousal and interoception. Med Hypotheses 2006; 67:6-14. [PMID: 16520004 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2005] [Revised: 01/09/2006] [Accepted: 01/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Almost all the vertebrates yawn, testifying the phylogenetic old origins of this behavior. Correlatively speaking, yawning shows an ontogenical precociousness since it occurs as early as 12 weeks after conception and remains relatively unchanged throughout life. Thus, it is contended that these common characteristics and their diencephalic origin allow to model an approach from which emerges a pivotal link between yawning and REM sleep. Yawning and stretching reverse the muscular atonia of the REM-sleep and reopen the collapsed airways. Yawning appears as a powerful muscular stretch, recruiting specific control systems particularly the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, the locus coeruleus and the reticular activating system from which the vigor of this ancestral vestige, surviving throughout evolution with little variation, may increase arousal. On the other hand, the James-Lange theory proposes that afferent feedback from muscles and viscera provides the brain with a feeling that characterizes the active motivational state and arousal. On this basis and using selected supporting findings from the literature and from data provided by daily life, it is contended that yawning takes part in interoceptiveness by its capacity to increase arousal and self-awareness. Adaptative behaviors depend on interactions among the nervous system and the body by a continuous feedback between them. The body's schema is a main component of the self, and interoceptive process is essential to awareness of the body and arousal. Yawning contributes to bodily consciousness as a behavior affiliating a sensory motor act and his perception from which pleasure is derived. Yawning can be seen as a proprioceptive performance awareness which inwardly provides a pre-reflective sense of one's body and a reappraisal of the body schema. The behavioral consequences of adopting specific regulatory strategies and the neural systems involved act upon attention and cognitive changes.Thus, it is proposed that yawning is a part of interoceptiveness by its capacity to increase arousal and self-awareness.
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Dal-Cól MLC, Terra-Bustamante VC, Velasco TR, Oliveira JAC, Sakamoto AC, Garcia-Cairasco N. Neuroethology application for the study of human temporal lobe epilepsy: from basic to applied sciences. Epilepsy Behav 2006; 8:149-60. [PMID: 16246630 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2005] [Revised: 07/28/2005] [Accepted: 08/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to apply neuroethology to the study of human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). For this purpose, 42 seizures in 7 patients recorded during video/EEG monitoring (1997-1998) were analyzed by means of a behavioral glossary containing all behaviors. Video recordings were reobserved, and all patients' behaviors were annotated second-by-second. Data were analyzed using Ethomatic software and displayed as flowcharts including frequency, mean duration, and sequential statistic interaction of behavioral items (chi2 > or = 10.827, P<0.001). Flowcharts of (1) a group of seizures from a single patient, (2) the sum of four seizures per patient of two patients with right and five patients with left TLE, and (3) the comparison of left versus right TLE are shown. Well-established data in the literature were confirmed, such as aura (especially epigastric), contralateral lateralization value of dystonia and version, consciousness and language alterations in ictal and postictal periods, mostly with respect to dominant hemisphere involvement, among others. Less well established data such as awakening seizures in TLE patients, lateralization value of facial wiping (ipsilateral to the focus), statistically significant associations between behavioral pairs (dyads), and new behavioral sequences in TLE were also observed. We suggest that neuroethology also has great potential in the study of human epilepsy semiology. This work had an important role in method standardization for human epilepsy, setting the basis for the development of future clinical studies including correlation with other diagnostic methods (EEG, magnetic resonance, and SPECT). The next step will be the comparative study of seizures of patients with left and right TLE, with a greater number of patients, and the development of a digital video library.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L C Dal-Cól
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Experimental Neuroethology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Tassinari CA, Tassi L, Calandra-Buonaura G, Stanzani-Maserati M, Fini N, Pizza F, Sartori I, Michelucci R, Lo Russo G, Meletti S. Biting behavior, aggression, and seizures. Epilepsia 2005; 46:654-63. [PMID: 15857430 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.58404.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the semiologic features of aggressive behaviors observed in human epileptic seizures with particular reference to the act of biting a conspecific. METHODS We analyzed the biting behavior (BB) and other aggressive gestures occurring in a group of 11 patients retrospectively selected from >1,000 patients subjected to video-EEG/SEEG monitoring for presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant seizures. RESULTS Patients displaying BB showed (a) a male sex predominance, (b) heterogeneous etiologies and lesion locations, and (c) seizures involving the frontotemporal regions of both hemispheres. The act of biting was a rapid motor action, lasting approximately 600 ms, occurring in the context of strong emotional arousal, fear, and anger, with various bodily gestures with aggressive connotation. BB was mainly a "reflexive" behavior, in that biting acts were evoked (both during and after seizures) by actions of people in close contact with the patient. The sole intrusion of the examiner's hand in the space near the patient's face was effective in triggering BB. Rarely, self-directed or object-directed biting acts were not triggered by external stimuli. Intracranial data (SEEG) obtained in one subject showed that the amygdala/hippocampal region plus the orbitomedial prefrontal cortex had to be involved by ictal activity to observe BB. CONCLUSIONS Anatomic and electrophysiologic data in our patients suggest that a model of dual--temporal and frontal--dysfunction could account for the occurrence of ictal/postictal BB. Behavioral data suggest also that BB and related aggressive gestures can be considered as the emergence of instinctive behaviors with an adaptative significance of defense of the peripersonal space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Alberto Tassinari
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Bellaria Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy
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