Anatomic correlates of psychological events related to temporolimbic epilepsy

A number of behavioral disturbances have been associated with epilepsy. This is particularly true of temporal lobe seizures. While many ictal behaviors such as automatisms and rhythmic movement of an extremity are recognized as seizure activity, many psychological and cognitive alterations are not appreciated as being related to epilepsy. An increased awareness of the range of possible behaviors associated with epilepsy will enhance the observations made by the neuroscience nurse and augment the information available for formulating a differential diagnosis and localizing the lesion. Appropriate explanation of the etiology and manifestation of temporal lobe seizures will also help educate the patient and family regarding the unusual behaviors which are part of this disorder and reassure them of the organic rather than psychiatric cause of the phenomena.