Related Experiment Videos
Viscosity and social cohesion in temporal lobe epilepsy
S M Rao1, O Devinsky, J Grafman
1Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Viscosity, a tendency for repetitive talk, is common in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients, especially with left-sided seizure foci. Social cohesion did not differ between groups, suggesting viscosity may stem from subtle language disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Clinical reports indicate viscosity (repetitive, circumstantial talk) and social cohesion (interpersonal "clinging") are common in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
- A "sticky" interpersonal style, characterized by viscosity, may be more prevalent in TLE patients with left-sided seizure foci.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that viscosity is more common in TLE patients with left-sided temporal lobe seizure foci.
- To develop and utilize self-report and observer rating scales to assess viscosity and social cohesion.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of viscosity and social cohesion using developed rating scales.
- Comparison of TLE patients (right, left, or bilateral foci) with absence/generalized seizures, psychiatric controls (panic disorder), and normal controls.
Main Results:
- Elevated viscosity scores were predominantly observed in TLE patients with left or bilateral seizure foci.
- Viscosity scores showed correlations with seizure duration and left-handedness.
- No significant group differences were found for the social cohesion scale.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis that viscosity is associated with left or bilateral temporal lobe seizure foci in TLE.
- The results suggest that subtle interictal language disturbances may contribute to viscosity in TLE.
- Alternative pathogenetic mechanisms for viscosity are also considered.