Geschwind syndrome

Geschwind syndrome
Other namesGastaut–Geschwind syndrome
SpecialtyPsychiatry, Neurology
SymptomsIntense emotionality, deepened cognitive and emotional responses, hypergraphia, atypical sexuality, hyperreligiosity, circumstantial speech
CausesSeizures in the temporal lobe

Geschwind syndrome, also known as Gastaut–Geschwind syndrome, is a group of behavioral phenomena evident in some people with temporal lobe epilepsy. It is named for one of the first individuals to categorize the symptoms, Norman Geschwind, who published prolifically on the topic from 1973 to 1984.[1] There is controversy surrounding whether it is a true neuropsychiatric disorder.[2] Temporal lobe epilepsy causes chronic, mild, interictal (i.e., between seizures) changes in personality, which slowly intensify over time.[1] Geschwind syndrome includes five primary changes: hypergraphia, hyperreligiosity, atypical (usually reduced) sexuality, circumstantiality, and intensified mental life.[3] Not all symptoms must be present for a diagnosis.[2] Only some people with epilepsy or temporal lobe epilepsy show features of Geschwind syndrome.[4]

  1. ^ a b Devinsky, J.; Schachter, S. (2009). "Norman Geschwind's contribution to the understanding of behavioral changes in temporal lobe epilepsy: The February 1974 lecture". Epilepsy & Behavior. 15 (4): 417–24. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.06.006. PMID 19640791. S2CID 22179745.
  2. ^ a b Benson, D. F. (1991). "The Geschwind syndrome". Advances in Neurology. 55: 411–21. PMID 2003418.
  3. ^ Tebartz Van Elst, L.; Krishnamoorthy, E. S.; Bäumer, D.; Selai, C.; von Gunten, A.; Gene-Cos, N.; Ebert, D.; Trimble, M. R. (2003). "Psychopathological profile in patients with severe bilateral hippocampal atrophy and temporal lobe epilepsy: Evidence in support of the Geschwind syndrome?". Epilepsy & Behavior. 4 (3): 291–297. doi:10.1016/S1525-5050(03)00084-2. PMID 12791331. S2CID 34974937.
  4. ^ Benson, D.F. & Hermann, B.P. (1998) Personality disorders. In J. Engel Jr. & T.A. Pedley (Eds.) Epilepsy: A comprehensive textbook. Vol. II (pp.2065–2070). Philadelphia: Lippincott–Raven.