Gelastic Seizures in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Case Report and Literature Review

Gelastic seizures are typically associated with hypothalamic hamartoma. Given the rarity of gelastic seizures, pathways for the motor and emotional aspects of laughter have been hypothesized but remain unclear. The authors perform a literature review to discuss what is known about these pathways. They also report a child who presented with tuberous sclerosis complex initially without cutaneous stigmata, who later developed gelastic seizures. Only 2 case reports of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex who subsequently developed gelastic epilepsy have previously been reported. In discussing his case, the authors postulate additional etiologies for gelastic seizures.