NCJ Number
200423
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2003 Pages: 245-257
Editor(s)
Vincent B. Van Hasselt,
Michel Hersen
Date Published
May 2003
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study focused on a pilot survey contrasting degrees and effects of vagus nerve stimulation in relation to partial seizures with potential aggression and interrelating factors.
Abstract
The vagus is the “great visceral nerve” and constitutes a main portion of the autonomic nervous system, supplying many inner organs. This study contrasted the degrees and effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and its relationship to seizures with aggression as a potential outcome and interrelated factors. The main tool in detecting “behavioral seizures” in the cases studied has been detailed cognitive clinical evaluation. This is the preferred method, even in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In addition, objective brain tests, such as scalp EEGs and MRIs, have become available for felons in maximum security facilities. The results are based on clinical-cognitive delineation of the consistent and specific cluster of symptoms. TLE was diagnosed in one man charged with exhibitionism and limbic psychotic trigger reaction (LPTR) was proposed as a diagnosis in four men charged with homicide. Attention was drawn to the MRIs of four out of six aggressive felons reflecting recurrent rhinopharyngeal infections and two of the same four MRIs showing signs of brain atrophy. Two of the five felons had an EEG congruent with abnormalities in the temporal lobe area, including the hippocampus and amygdala. The findings have both heuristic and practical implications. It is possible that unexpected, mild, intermittently occurring medical conditions might stimulate limbic or other brain areas. Appendix and references