Epileptic seizures and criminal acts: Is there a relationship?
Automatism
Crime
Dyscontrol syndrome
Epilepsy
Epileptic seizure
Law
Postictal period
Journal
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
ISSN: 1525-5069
Titre abrégé: Epilepsy Behav
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 100892858
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
08 2019
08 2019
Historique:
received:
23
03
2019
revised:
08
05
2019
accepted:
16
05
2019
pubmed:
11
6
2019
medline:
8
7
2020
entrez:
11
6
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The relation between epilepsy and criminal acts has been debated for over a century. The general perception persists that epileptic seizures can be associated with violent behavior. Some studies have provided evidence for such an association; however, it remains uncertain whether it really exists. This review critically evaluates the scientific literature on the possible relation between epileptic seizures and criminal acts. A PubMed search was undertaken using the search terms "epilepsy and crime", "epilepsy and automatism", "epilepsy and law", and "epilepsy and dyscontrol syndrome" with the aim of identifying studies examining the possible association between epileptic seizure and crime. The combined keywords "epilepsy and crime" yielded 495 articles, the keywords "epilepsy and automatism" 402 results, the keywords "epilepsy and law" 969 articles, and the keywords "epilepsy and dyscontrol syndrome" resulted in 22 search results. After removing publications such as reviews and opinion pieces, we identified and analyzed a total of 24 research articles with relevant original data. These included single case reports. The reviewed literature suggests that there are very rare occasions when criminal acts are committed during the ictal or postictal period, mostly by patients with focal epilepsy. The literature on the relation between epileptic seizures and criminal acts is not conclusive. Behavioral disturbances often seem more closely related to comorbidities of epilepsy than particular seizures characteristics. These comorbidities are often not well-described. There is an urgent need for more systematic and detailed data gathering and reporting, in order to allow a more detailed investigation of the relation between epileptic seizures and criminal acts.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The relation between epilepsy and criminal acts has been debated for over a century. The general perception persists that epileptic seizures can be associated with violent behavior. Some studies have provided evidence for such an association; however, it remains uncertain whether it really exists. This review critically evaluates the scientific literature on the possible relation between epileptic seizures and criminal acts.
METHODS
A PubMed search was undertaken using the search terms "epilepsy and crime", "epilepsy and automatism", "epilepsy and law", and "epilepsy and dyscontrol syndrome" with the aim of identifying studies examining the possible association between epileptic seizure and crime.
RESULTS
The combined keywords "epilepsy and crime" yielded 495 articles, the keywords "epilepsy and automatism" 402 results, the keywords "epilepsy and law" 969 articles, and the keywords "epilepsy and dyscontrol syndrome" resulted in 22 search results. After removing publications such as reviews and opinion pieces, we identified and analyzed a total of 24 research articles with relevant original data. These included single case reports. The reviewed literature suggests that there are very rare occasions when criminal acts are committed during the ictal or postictal period, mostly by patients with focal epilepsy.
CONCLUSION
The literature on the relation between epileptic seizures and criminal acts is not conclusive. Behavioral disturbances often seem more closely related to comorbidities of epilepsy than particular seizures characteristics. These comorbidities are often not well-described. There is an urgent need for more systematic and detailed data gathering and reporting, in order to allow a more detailed investigation of the relation between epileptic seizures and criminal acts.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31181424
pii: S1525-5050(19)30284-7
doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.05.015
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
15-21Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.