Citation

Kandratavicius L, Ruggiero RN, Hallak JE, Garcia-Cairasco N, Leite JP. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr. 2012; 34(supl.2): s233-s245.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Associacao Brasileira de Psiquiatria)

DOI

10.1590/S1516-44462012000600008

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There is accumulating evidence that the limbic system is pathologically involved in cases of psychiatric comorbidities in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients. Our objective was to develop a conceptual framework describing how neuropathological, neurochemical and electrophysiological aspects might contribute to the development of psychiatric symptoms in TLE and the putative neurobiological mechanisms that cause mood disorders in this patient subgroup.

METHODS: In this review, clinical, experimental and neuropathological findings, as well as neurochemical features of the limbic system were examined together to enhance our understanding of the association between TLE and psychiatric comorbidities. Finally, the value of animal models in epilepsy and mood disorders was discussed.

CONCLUSIONS:TLE and psychiatric symptoms coexist more frequently than chance would predict. Alterations and neurotransmission disturbance among critical anatomical networks, and impaired or aberrant plastic changes might predispose patients with TLE to mood disorders. Clinical and experimental studies of the effects of seizures on behavior and electrophysiological patterns may offer a model of how limbic seizures increase the vulnerability of TLE patients to precipitants of psychiatric symptoms.

Language: en

Keywords

Neuropathology; Major Depression; Animal Models; Comorbidades psiquiátricas; Depressão maior; Disforia interictal; Epilepsia do lobo temporal; Interictal Dysphoria; Modelos animais; Neuropatologia; Plasticidade sináptica; Psychiatric Comorbidities; Synaptic Plasticity; Temporal Lobe Epilepsy