Emotional stimuli-provoked seizures potentially misdiagnosed as psychogenic non-epileptic attacks: A case of temporal lobe epilepsy with amygdala enlargement

Publication date: 2018Source: Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports, Volume 9Author(s): Hidetaka Tamune, Go Taniguchi, Susumu Morita, Yousuke Kumakura, Shinsuke Kondo, Kiyoto KasaiAbstractThe association between emotional stimuli and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is largely unknown. Here, we report the case of a depressed, 50-year-old female complaining of episodes of a “spaced out” experience precipitated by emotional stimuli. Psychogenic non-epileptic attacks were suspected. However, video-EEG coupled with emotional stimuli-provoked procedures and MRI findings of amygdala enlargement, led to the diagnosis of left TLE. Accurate diagnosis and explanation improved her subjective depression and seizure frequency. This case demonstrated that emotional stimuli can provoke seizures in TLE and suggested the involvement of the enlarged amygdala and the modulation of emotion-related neural circuits.

Source: Epilepsy and Behavior Case Reports - July 10, 2018 Category: Neurology Source Type: research