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Mania secondary to left and right hemisphere damage
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|September 1, 1983
Summary
Mania can occur secondary to vascular lesions in either brain hemisphere. This study presents cases where mania followed damage to both the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres, challenging previous theories.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Previous research suggested mania as a syndrome primarily associated with the non-dominant hemisphere.
- The role of specific brain hemispheres in the development of secondary mania requires further investigation.
Observation:
- Two right-handed men without prior psychiatric history developed mania.
- One patient had a left hemisphere vascular lesion causing transient posterior aphasia.
- The other patient had a right hemisphere vascular lesion.
Findings:
- Secondary mania was observed following vascular lesions in both the left and right cerebral hemispheres.
- The case involving a left hemisphere lesion is notable as it affected the hemisphere dominant for speech and handedness.
- These findings suggest that mania is not exclusively linked to damage in the non-dominant hemisphere.
Implications:
- It is premature to definitively associate secondary mania with lesions in only the non-dominant hemisphere.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between focal brain lesions and manic symptoms.
- These findings may influence diagnostic and treatment approaches for secondary mania.