Epilepsy, aggression, and criminal responsibility.
Although epilepsy-related violence can occur, accounts of criminal behavior caused by epilepsy remain rare and unconvincing. The authors describe a case of apparent postictal aggression, resulting in felony assault charges, by a patient who had nocturnal complex partial seizures, followed by what appeared to be sleepwalking and periods of postictal wandering and confusion.
Borum
R
R
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Appelbaum
K L
KL
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008297:Male; D011902:Rape / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013009:Somnambulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology