Human Epileptogenesis and Hypothalamic Hamartomas: New Lessons from an Experiment of Nature

Hypothalamic Hamartomas: Two Cases

This is a MRI study of two patients presented with history of gelastic seizures since many years ago. Plain and post intravenous gadolinium multiplanar MRI imaging of the brain is performed. It showed well-defined non-enhancing mass lesions in the region of hypothalamus and tuber cinereum. It showed signal intensity similar to the gray matter and imaging diagnosis of hypothalamic hamartoma is m...

Endoscopic Treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a benign indolent lesion despite the presentation of refractory epilepsy. Behavioral disturbances and endocrine problems are additional critical symptoms that arise along with HHs. Due to its nature of generating epileptiform discharge and spreading to cortical region, various management strategies have been proposed and combined. Surgical approaches with open cra...

Human Prepubertal Aromatase Deficiency.. Physiological and Pathophysiological Lessons Learned from This Experiment of Nature

Gelastic epilepsy: Beyond hypothalamic hamartomas

Gelastic epilepsy or laughing seizures have been historically related to children with hypothalamic hamartomas. We report three adult patients who had gelastic epilepsy, defined as the presence of seizures with a prominent laugh component, including brain imaging, surface/invasive electroencephalography, positron emission tomography, and medical/surgical outcomes. None of the patients had hamar...

Neuropsychiatric aspects of patients with hypothalamic hamartomas.

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) are developmental malformations that are associated with gelastic seizures, other types of seizures, cognitive decline, and symptoms related to hypothalamic dysfunction. Although aggressive behavior is frequently described, data on the neuropsychiatric profile are limited. In this article, five patients with HH are described who displayed a wide variety of psychiatr...