Geschwind syndrome

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Geschwind syndrome, also known as Gastaut-Geschwind, is a group of behavioral phenomena evident in some people with

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]

Features

Hypergraphia

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, known to have epilepsy, showed signs of Geschwind syndrome, including hypergraphia.[6] In some cases hypergraphia can manifest with compulsive drawing.[7] Drawings by patients with hypergraphia exhibit repetition and a high level of detail, sometimes morphing writing with drawing.[8]

Hyperreligiosity

Some individuals may exhibit

voodoun,[14] Christianity, Islam,[15] and others. Furthermore, "in someone from a strongly religious background hyperreligiosity might appear as deeply felt atheism".[16][17] There are reports of patients converting between religions.[18] A few patients internalize their religious feelings: when asked if they are religious they say they are not.[19] One reviewer concluded that the evidence for a link between temporal lobe epilepsy and hyperreligiosity "isn't terribly compelling".[20]

Atypical sexuality

People with Geschwind syndrome reported higher rates of atypical or altered sexuality.[21] In approximately half of affected individuals hyposexuality is reported.[22][23] Less commonly, cases of hypersexuality have been reported.[24]

Circumstantiality

Individuals who demonstrate circumstantiality (or viscosity) tend to continue conversations for a long time and talk repetitively.[25]

Intensified mental life

Individuals may demonstrate an intensified mental life, including deepened cognitive and emotional responses. This tendency may pair with hypergraphia, leading to prolific creative output and a tendency toward intense, solitary pursuits.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^
    S2CID 22179745
    .
  2. ^
    PMID 2003418
    .
  3. 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.
  5. PMID 22450613
    .
  6. S2CID 2492211
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  7. PMID 7069424
    .
  8. ^ Michael, Michael Jeffrey Aminoff. Neurology and General Medicine. p. 597.
  9. S2CID 22179745
    .
  10. S2CID 27734180
    . Epilepsy patients with frequent numinous-like auras have greater ictal and interictal spirituality of an experiential, personalized, and atypical form, which may be distinct from traditional, culturally based religiosity.
  11. S2CID 45743175
    . Patients with ecstatic epileptic seizures report an altered consciousness, which they describe as a sense of heightened perception of themselves – they 'feel very present' – and an increased vividness of sensory perceptions.
  12. S2CID 28465979
    .
  13. PMID 21725389
    .
  14. S2CID 45078166
    . Epileptic seizures have a historical association with religion, primarily through the concept of spirit possession. Five cases where epileptic seizures were initially attributed to Voodoo spirit possession are presented. The attribution is discussed within the context of the Voodoo belief system.
  15. ISBN 978-0880489423
    .
  16. ISBN 9780195384871
    . Studies that claim to show no difference in emotional makeup between temporal lobe and other epileptic patients (Guerrant et al., 1962; Stevens, 1966) have been reinterpreted (Blumer, 1975) to indicate that there is, in fact, a difference: those with temporal lobe epilepsy are more likely to have more serious forms of emotional disturbance. This 'typical personality' of temporal lobe epileptic patient has been described in roughly similar terms over many years (Blumer & Benson, 1975; Geschwind, 1975, 1977; Blumer, 1999; Devinsky & Schachter, 2009). These patients are said to have a deepening of emotions; they ascribe great significance to commonplace events. This can be manifested as a tendency to take a cosmic view; hyperreligiosity (or intensely professed atheism) is said to be common.
  17. ISBN 9781504032773
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  18. S2CID 145510733
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  19. PMID 1200777. Although the patient denied being religious, his writings contained numerous religious references, and some pages were adorned with religious symbols.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  20. ^ Craig Aaen-Stockdale (2012). "Neuroscience for the Soul". The Psychologist. 25 (7): 520–523.
  21. S2CID 15147140
    . Men and women with epilepsy frequently complain, if asked, of sexual dysfunction and appear to have a higher incidence of sexual dysfunction than persons with other chronic neurologic illnesses.
  22. S2CID 35322347
    .
  23. S2CID 34974937
    . ... specific symptoms that characterize the Geschwind syndrome like hypergraphia and hyposexuality might be pathogenically related to hippocampal atrophy.
  24. S2CID 31719010
    .
  25. ISBN 978-0781785914
    .
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