Paroxysmal limbic disorders in neuropsychiatry

Patients who experience episodes with a transient disturbance in perception, memory, mood, and level of anxiety are frequently encountered by neurologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists. The possibilities for differential diagnosis of these episodes include partial complex epilepsy, psychogenic seizures, panic disorder, dissociative states, migraine, and transient global amnesia, among others. The clinical history may be vague and confusing, making it difficult to determine definitively the etiology of the events. This article describes a spectrum of paroxysmal disorders involving limbic structures, highlighting the clinical features and assessment techniques that aid in diagnosis and treatment. Clinical-anatomic correlations are provided whenever possible.