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Behaviour disturbances during recovery from herpes simplex encephalitis
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|September 1, 1983
Summary
Herpes simplex encephalitis recovery can cause bizarre behavioral changes, similar to those seen after temporal lobectomy in monkeys. These include aggressive and disruptive behaviors, which may become more common with reduced mortality rates.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a severe brain infection.
- Incomplete recovery from HSE can lead to neurological deficits.
- Previous reports highlight behavioral disturbances post-HSE.
Observation:
- Four patients exhibited unusual behavioral disturbances during incomplete HSE recovery.
- Observed behaviors shared similarities with Klüver-Bucy syndrome in monkeys post-temporal lobectomy.
- Aggressive and disruptive behaviors were noted in affected patients.
Findings:
- Bilateral temporal lobectomy in monkeys can induce specific behavioral changes.
- HSE can result in complex behavioral sequelae.
- The observed disturbances suggest potential similarities in brain regions affected by HSE and temporal lobectomy.
Implications:
- Increased recognition of behavioral disturbances in HSE recovery is warranted.
- Understanding these behavioral changes can aid in patient management and rehabilitation.
- As HSE mortality decreases, such behavioral sequelae may be encountered more frequently, necessitating further research.