Fear in Epilepsy: A Consideration of Its Nature and Significance

MacRae, Donald (1953) Fear in Epilepsy: A Consideration of Its Nature and Significance. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Abstract

Fear, without content and unrelated to thought processes or somatic sensations has been observed in 40 cases of epilepsy. The paroxysmal nature of the fear and the relationship to the seizures have led to the conclusion that this fear is an aura. Other cases with fear as an aura have been cited from the literature. Clinical, electroencephalographic and pathological studies strongly suggest that this aura is a product of epileptic activity on either side; and that the localization of the focal activity producing the fear is situated in the medial aspect of the temporal lobe. Pertinent literature concerning the emotions, their anatomy and their nature, has been discussed. The aura when not commonly followed by a seizure may not be recognized as epileptic activity, and yet as epileptic activity it is not only amenable to treatment, but also may be symptomatic of a serious underlying pathology, neoplastic or vascular. Observations on the nature of fear in epilepsy have been made. The importance of consideration of the aura, fear, rests, not only in that the aura may not be recognized as epileptic activity, but also in that it affords an approach, along physical lines, to the study of at least one form of emotional activity in man. The emotions play such an important role in the realm of human behaviour and endeavour, yet knoweldge concerning their physical nature is still very limited.

Item Type: Thesis (MD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Keywords: Medicine, Neurosciences
Date of Award: 1953
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1953-78951
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2020 12:09
Last Modified: 28 Feb 2020 12:09
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/78951

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