Amygdalohippocampectomy is a surgical procedure for the treatment of
epilepsy
Epilepsy is a group of Non-communicable disease, non-communicable Neurological disorder, neurological disorders characterized by a tendency for recurrent, unprovoked Seizure, seizures. A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activit ...
. It consists of the removal of the
hippocampus
The hippocampus (: hippocampi; via Latin from Ancient Greek, Greek , 'seahorse'), also hippocampus proper, is a major component of the brain of humans and many other vertebrates. In the human brain the hippocampus, the dentate gyrus, and the ...
, which has a role in memory, spatial awareness, and navigation,
and the
amygdalae
The amygdala (; : amygdalae or amygdalas; also '; Latin from Greek, , ', 'almond', 'tonsil') is a paired nuclear complex present in the cerebral hemispheres of vertebrates. It is considered part of the limbic system. In primates, it is loca ...
, which have a role in the processing and memory of emotional reactions,
both structures forming part of the
limbic system
The limbic system, also known as the paleomammalian cortex, is a set of brain structures located on both sides of the thalamus, immediately beneath the medial temporal lobe of the cerebrum primarily in the forebrain.Schacter, Daniel L. 2012. ''P ...
of the
brain
The brain is an organ (biology), organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for ...
.
Amygdalohippocampectomy is used only when all other treatment options have failed to resolve the epilepsy. It is also used to cure severe aggression, and anxiety usually as a last resort treatment. It is an effective treatment for most patients. However, possible adverse side effects include impaired memory, dangerous risktaking behaviours, and defects in visual perception.
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Procedure
The amygdalohippocampectomy is indicated when the focal point of the seizures can be anatomically localized to the hippocampus and amygdala. Normally, to be considered for this procedure, one must either have failed all first-line treatments for epilepsy, or if all therapy fails for severe aggression and anxiety.
The selective amygdalohippocampectomy will remove only the offending portions of the hippocampus and amygdala. When data from studies of the
and
neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, often shortened to neuropathy, refers to damage or disease affecting the nerves. Damage to nerves may impair sensation, movement, gland function, and/or organ function depending on which nerve fibers are affected. Neuropa ...
''vis-à-vis''
temporal lobe epilepsy
In the field of neurology, temporal lobe epilepsy is an enduring brain disorder that causes unprovoked seizures from the temporal lobe. Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common type of focal onset epilepsy among adults. Seizure symptoms and b ...
determines this area to be the origin of seizure activity, the removal of the hippocampus and amygdala is usually indicated.
Computer imaging is sometimes used to guide this procedure.
Statistics and side effects
Of 376 patients who had the amygdalohippocampectomy procedure performed, compared to other types of temporal lobe resections, two thirds of this population were reported free of disabling seizures.
Some patients report defects in
visual perception
Visual perception is the ability to detect light and use it to form an image of the surrounding Biophysical environment, environment. Photodetection without image formation is classified as ''light sensing''. In most vertebrates, visual percept ...
and impaired memory function.
Almost all of them reported not feeling as much fear as before, hence inducing the risk-taking behaviour. It can also cause behavioural aggression, and can lower the effects of anxiety and Asperger’s Syndrome.
References
{{Central nervous system tests and procedures
Epilepsy
Surgical removal procedures
Neurosurgical procedures
Hippocampus (brain)
Amygdala