Neuropsychiatric disorders in epilepsy: some transcultural issues

To review transcultural perspectives in the neuropsychiatry of epilepsy.

Systematic literature searches of standard databases, cross-referencing, chapters, and opinion leader articles.

Articles from the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and Japan were identified and are reviewed herein. The spectrum of psychopathology in epilepsy is rather similar across cultures. However, psychopathology specific to epilepsy, the interictal behavioural syndrome of Geschwind, for example, has not been well studied outside the Western world.

There is a need for well-designed epidemiological studies of neuropsychiatric disorders in epilepsy. These should use harmonised protocols and outcome measures. Special attention should be paid to the impact of aetiology on psychiatric co-morbidity and disablement.