title: Depression and partial epilepsy: relevance of laterality of the epileptic focus.
abstract: In a prospective study of 50 epileptic patients (20 with a left hemisphere epileptic focus, 20 with a right one and 10 with a cryptogenic generalized epilepsy), the authors show that depression as appreciated by the H.A.R.D. score, is more frequent and severe in partial epilepsy in males, and when the epileptic focus is localized on left hemisphere. This association is related to the duration of epilepsy, the number of seizures, but not to age or medication status. Vulnerability of left hemisphere to depression is analysed, and neuro-chemical mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, U.N.A.M. Mexico.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Septien
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giroud
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Didi-Roy
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dumas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies