The association of multiple personality and temporolimbic epilepsy. Intracarotid amobarbital test observations
G. L. Ahern, A. M. Herring, J. Tackenberg, J. F. Seeger, K. J. Oommen, D. M. Labiner and M. E. Weinand
Department of Neurology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85724.
OBJECTIVE--What is the relationship of "multiple personality disorder" in
patients with temporolimbic epilepsy to certain types of hemispheric
interaction? DESIGN--Case series. SETTING--Tertiary care referral center.
PATIENTS--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. INTERVENTIONS--Intracarotid amobarbital sodium procedure, Wada
test, and electroencephalogram. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--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.
