Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 42675

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connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar

Posted by Lin on August 12, 2000, at 10:40:04

Does anyone know anything about the connection between temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar disorder? I have bipolar disorder but my doctor wants me to be worked up for temporal lobe epilepsy. Apparently there is a lot of overlap in symptomology. I am getting a sleep-deprived EEG next week. Any ideas?

 

Re: connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar » Lin

Posted by Cam W. on August 12, 2000, at 11:59:23

In reply to connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar , posted by Lin on August 12, 2000, at 10:40:04

Lin - If I remember correctly (I seem to be getting old), a couple of years ago I was at a conference where a speaker was said that temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar disorder both involved malfunctions of the temporal lobes (the sides of the brain). The focal points were different. I believe that he said that the bipolar disorder malfunction was deeper into the brain than the epilepsy malfunction (or was it the other way around?). This is why researchers believe that anticonvulsant medications act as mood stabilizers. This makes sense, but I don't know how well the link has been proven.

Hope this helps - Cam

 

Re: connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar

Posted by Skip on June 28, 2001, at 15:13:25

In reply to connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar , posted by Lin on August 12, 2000, at 10:40:04

There has to be something in it. I am a temporal lobe epileptic with bipolar disorder. I have had a temporal lobectomy so I no longer get seizures, but I occasionally get auras. Still get the bipolar episodes.

 

Re: TLE, Bipolar and Kindling

Posted by Zo on June 28, 2001, at 19:31:00

In reply to Re: connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar » Lin, posted by Cam W. on August 12, 2000, at 11:59:23

There are very profound connections, in that both seizures and bipolar are subject to a phenomenon known as Kindling. . .which is why the med crossover.

Also, don't be surprised if TLE doesn't show up on any EEG. See the neuro boards at Mass. Gen. for more on this.

Best,
Zo

 

Re: connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipol » Skip

Posted by Zo on June 28, 2001, at 19:32:59

In reply to Re: connection bt temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar , posted by Skip on June 28, 2001, at 15:13:25

> There has to be something in it. I am a temporal lobe epileptic with bipolar disorder. I have had a temporal lobectomy so I no longer get seizures, but I occasionally get auras. Still get the bipolar episodes.


Skip, If you'd like to share, am curious what led you to the surgery. . .Am I just lucky to have stumbled across Neurontin, and for the seizures to have not been debilitating before that? Not that I had any choice, doctors just looked at me like I was nuts. . . or, the old classic, told me I was hyperventilating.


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