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The Aetiology of Aggression in Temporal-Lobe Epilepsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. L Herzberg  and
P. B. C. Fenwick
J. L Herzberg*
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital, Guy's Hospital
P. B. C. Fenwick
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital
*
∗Guy's Hospital, St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RT
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Abstract

A retrospective case-note survey was carried out on 31 subjects admitted with temporal-lobe epilepsy to the Maudsley hospital from 1974–1983 inclusive. Fourteen aggressive subjects were compared with the non-aggressive patients on 95 organic, developmental, and social variables. Aggressive behaviour was associated with male sex, early onset of seizures, and a history of long-standing behavioural problems. Aggressive subjects had lower mean IQ scores and poorer occupational records than controls. No relationship was found between aggression and the presence of specific EEG or CAT scan findings, or a history of psychosis. The results demonstrate the complex interplay between organic and socially mediated factors underlying aggressive behaviour in temporal-lobe epilepsy.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 153 , Issue 1 , July 1988 , pp. 50 - 55
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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