Gelastic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gelastic is a term often used in medical terminology to indicate an association of a symptom or syndrome with laughter. The word originates from the Greek gelastikos -- gelaein , to laugh.

Examples include:

Gelastic epilepsy or epileptic seizure. The seizures of gelastic epilepsy are characterized by spells of involuntary laughter.Gelastic epilepsy often results from a developmental abnormality of the brain known as hypothalamic hamartoma.

Gelastic syncope (referred to in one paper also as "Seinfeld" syncope after the famous long-running US TV show: "Seinfeld syncope". Cox SV, Eisenhauer AC, Hreib K. Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn. 1997 Oct;42(2):242. )

[edit] References

• ILAE Glossary of Descriptive Terminology for Ictal Semiology, Epilepsia, 2001.