Psychopathology and Limbic Epilepsy: Relationship to Seizure Variables and Neuropsychological Function

Abstract

Correlations were sought among psychopathologic, neuropsychological, and seizure variables in 21 patients with limbic epilepsy. Observer-based assessments, such as the Bear-Fedio Inventory, and self-report assessments of psychopathology were used. Self-reported psychotic experiences were associated with increased seizure frequency. Increased religiosity was noted in patients whose epileptic focus included the left side. Increased neuropsychological impairment was associated with several measures of psychopathology, including those related to thought disorder, psychoticism, and affective disturbance.

Social communication in children with epilepsy

“…Studies in adults (Csernansky, Leiderman, Mandbach, & Moses, 1990; Slater & Beard, 1963) and children (Caplan, Guthrie, Shields, & Mori, 1992a; Caplan et al., 1997) have demonstrated that formal thought disorder is found in patients with complex partial seizure disorder (CPS). Evidence for a schizophrenia‐like psychosis in temporal lobe epilepsy (Caplan, Shields, Mori, & Yodoven, 1991; Lindsay, Ounsted, & Richards, 1979; Mellers, Toone, & Lishman, 2000; Schmitz, Robertson, & Trimble, 1999) and involvement of the temporal lobe in the thought disorder of schizophrenic adults (Holinger et al., 1999; Shenton et al., 1992) led us to investigate if these social communication deficits occur specifically in children with CPS and focal temporal involvement compared to children with primary generalized epilepsy with absences (i.e., petit mal) (PGE).…”

Is our brain hardwired to produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive God? A systematic review on the role of the brain in mediating religious experience

“…Waxman & Geschwind, 1975+ Bear & Fedio, 1977+ Bear, 1979+ Bear et al, 1982 + review by Csernansky et al, 1990 + review by Saver & Rabin, 1997+ Wuerfel et al, 2004+ MacDonald & Holland, 2002+ Morneau et al, 1996+ Persinger, 1984+ Diduca & Joseph, 1997+ White et al, 1995+ Feldman & Rust, 1989+ Peters et al, 1999+ Spencer, 1975+ Fenwick et al, 1985+ Cothran & Harvey, 1986 (b) Not all people with psychopathological disorders have religious experience.…”

Neuroendocrinology and Limbic Epilepsy: Relationships to Psychopathology, Seizure Variables, and Neuropsychological Function

“…A description of the methods for patient selection, psychopathology, and neuropsychological assessment may be found in our companion article (Csernansky et al, 1990). Of the 21 patients, all females were excluded during analysis of neuroendocrine variables.…”

“…A large literature exists on the question of the existence and specific nature of limbic epilepsyassociated psychopathology. In a companion study, we examined correlational relationships between seizure variables and several psychiatric and neuropsychological measures (Csernansky et al, 1990). Because the neuroendocrine aspects of limbic epilepsy are increasingly under investigation, the present correlational study of neuroendocrine, psychiatric, and neuropsychologic variables seems timely.…”