Gelastic seizure

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A gelastic seizure, also known as "gelastic epilepsy", is a rare type of seizure that involves a sudden burst of energy, usually in the form of laughing.[1] This syndrome usually occurs for no obvious reason and is uncontrollable. It is slightly more common in males than females.

This syndrome can go for very long periods of time without a diagnosis, as it may resemble normal laughing or crying if it occurs infrequently. It has been associated with several conditions, such as

hypothalamic hamartomas
.

The term "gelastic" originates from the Greek word gelos, which means laughter.

Signs and symptoms

The main sign of a gelastic seizure is a sudden outburst of laughter with no apparent cause.

secondary sex characteristics before the age of eight.[2]

Causes

mamillary bodies
.

A gelastic seizure is classically associated with a

ictal
region of the brain where, typically the tumor lies. PET-CT using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) show reduced metabolism at the site of seizure onset. Gelastic seizures have been observed after taking a birth control pill (Maxim (R)).

Optic nerve hypoplasia is the only reported condition with gelastic seizures without hypothalamic hamartomas, suggesting that hypothalamic disorganization alone can cause gelastic seizures.[4]

History

Very likely gelastic seizures were already recognized at the time of

Babylonian medicine.[5] A detailed description was given by the Scottish physician Robert Whytt in 1765,[6] and the term "gelastic seizure" was coined in 1898 by the French neurologist, neuropathologist and epileptologist Charles Féré.[7]

Notable cases

Media references

Gelastic syncope was also referred to in one paper also as "Seinfeld syncope" after an incident in which a patient repeatedly fainted while watching an episode of Seinfeld.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Not your everyday epilepsy" (PDF). Epilepsy Action Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
  2. PMID 19337448
    .
  3. .
  4. .
  5. ^ Kinnier Wilson JV, Reynolds EH. Translation and analysis of a cuneiform text forming part of a babylonian treatise on epilepsy. Med Hist 1990; 34: 185–198
  6. ^ Whytt R. Observations on the Nature, Causes, and Cure of those Disorders Which are Commonly Called Nervous, Hypochondriac, or Hysteric. To which are prefixed some Remarks on the Sympathy of the Nerves. Edinburgh, Becket, Hondt and Balfour 1765
  7. ^ Féré C. Accés des rire chez un épileptique. Compt Rend Soc Biol 1898; 5: 430–432
  8. ^ Harris, Meghan (July 25, 2017). "Man with life-threatening disorder needs NBN: 'It's a joke'". The Courier Mail.
  9. ^ "Living with Pallister-Hall Syndrome (PHS) and Gelastic Seizures". YouTube. 2019-11-06. Archived from the original on 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  10. ^ "GSNV_Winter Newsletter 2018_FINAL4.PDF - Google Drive". Archived from the original on 2019-11-16. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  11. PMID 9328725
    .

External links