gelastic
Pronunciation: jeh-LAS-tik
Relating to pathological laughter, particularly describing seizures characterized by inappropriate laughing spells.
Full Definition
Gelastic refers to pathological or inappropriate laughter, most commonly used in the context of gelastic seizures where patients experience uncontrollable laughing episodes as the primary seizure manifestation. These seizures are strongly associated with hypothalamic hamartomas, small benign brain lesions that can cause various types of seizures and precocious puberty. Gelastic seizures typically begin in early childhood and may be the only seizure type initially, though other seizure types often develop over time. The laughter in gelastic seizures is typically described as hollow, mirthless, or inappropriate to the situation, and patients usually have no memory of the episodes.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from normal laughter and from dacrystic (crying) seizures. Associated with hypothalamic hamartomas.
In Context
- "The child's gelastic seizures were successfully treated following hypothalamic hamartoma resection." — Surgical report
- "Gelastic episodes in infancy should prompt MRI evaluation for hypothalamic hamartoma." — Clinical guideline