Two foreign language automatisms in complex partial seizures.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epileptology
• Clinical Neuroscience

Background:

• Ictal speech is common in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), sometimes with preserved consciousness and automatisms.
• Foreign language ictal speech automatism (FLISA) is a rare sign of TLE, typically originating from the non-dominant hemisphere.
• Previous literature has not reported cases of complex partial seizures (CPSs) involving two distinct FLISA events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a unique case of TLE with a rare manifestation of two foreign language ictal speech automatisms.
• To contribute to the understanding of atypical ictal phenomena in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a Turkish woman diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy.
• Detailed clinical observation and analysis of ictal speech manifestations during seizures.
• Review of existing literature on ictal speech automatisms in TLE.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced two separate instances of foreign language ictal speech automatisms during complex partial seizures.
• This presentation is novel, as no prior reports document two FLISA events in a single patient with TLE.
• The seizures originated from the non-dominant hemisphere, consistent with typical FLISA localization.

Conclusions:

• This case highlights the potential for rare and complex ictal manifestations in temporal lobe epilepsy.
• The occurrence of two distinct FLISA events underscores the variability of non-dominant hemisphere involvement in TLE.
• Further research is needed to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of such rare ictal phenomena.