The association of multiple personality and temporolimbic epilepsy. Intracarotid amobarbital test observations.
OBJECTIVE
What is the relationship of "multiple personality disorder" in patients with temporolimbic epilepsy to certain types of hemispheric interaction?


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Tertiary care referral center.


METHODS
Two patients with temporolimbic epilepsy considered to be surgical candidates referred for the intracarotid amobarbital sodium procedure (IAP). Each individual had presented with different "personalities" in a characteristic temporal relationship to their seizures.


METHODS
Intracarotid amobarbital sodium procedure, Wada test, and electroencephalogram.


METHODS
Behavioral observations made during the performance of the IAP.


RESULTS
During the IAP, each patient's peri-ictal "personality" changes were precisely replicated. No seizure activity was noted during the IAPs.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that the association of multiple personality and temporolimbic epilepsy is not dependent on seizure discharges per se, but rather may be related to certain types of hemispheric interaction.
Ahern
G L
GL
Department of Neurology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85724.
Herring
A M
AM
Tackenberg
J
J
Seeger
J F
JF
Oommen
K J
KJ
Labiner
D M
DM
Weinand
M E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000654:Amobarbital; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D003702:Delusions / Q000150:complications; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008032:Limbic System; D008297:Male
D000654:Amobarbital