Gelastic seizure

A Gelastic seizure (pronounced: jeh-LAS-tik) is a rare type of epileptic seizure that involves a sudden burst of energy, usually in the form of laughing or crying. This type of seizure is often caused by a hypothalamic hamartoma, a benign brain tumor located in the hypothalamus.

Etymology

The term "gelastic" originates from the Greek word "gelos", which means laughter. It was first used in medical literature by Daly and Mulder in 1957 to describe a case of uncontrollable laughter associated with a hypothalamic hamartoma.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of a gelastic seizure is a sudden, uncontrollable burst of laughter or, less commonly, crying. These emotional displays are usually not related to the individual's mood or to anything happening in their environment. Other symptoms can include sudden falls, muscle stiffening, and rhythmic jerking movements.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of gelastic seizures is typically made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and electroencephalogram (EEG) testing. An MRI may also be used to identify a hypothalamic hamartoma or other brain abnormalities.

Treatment

Treatment for gelastic seizures typically involves medication to control the seizures. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove a hypothalamic hamartoma or other brain abnormality causing the seizures.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Gelastic seizure
Wikipedia's article - Gelastic seizure

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Gelastic seizure