Klüver-Bucy syndrome

WikiDoc Resources for Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Articles
Most recent articles on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Most cited articles on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Review articles on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Articles on Klüver-Bucy syndrome in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Images of Klüver-Bucy syndrome Photos of Klüver-Bucy syndrome Podcasts & MP3s on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Videos on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Bandolier on Klüver-Bucy syndrome TRIP on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Klüver-Bucy syndrome at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Clinical Trials on Klüver-Bucy syndrome at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Klüver-Bucy syndrome NICE Guidance on Klüver-Bucy syndrome NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Klüver-Bucy syndrome CDC on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Books
Books on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
News
Klüver-Bucy syndrome in the news Be alerted to news on Klüver-Bucy syndrome News trends on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Commentary
Blogs on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Definitions
Definitions of Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Discussion groups on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Patient Handouts on Klüver-Bucy syndrome Directions to Hospitals Treating Klüver-Bucy syndrome Risk calculators and risk factors for Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Klüver-Bucy syndrome Causes & Risk Factors for Klüver-Bucy syndrome Diagnostic studies for Klüver-Bucy syndrome Treatment of Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
International
Klüver-Bucy syndrome en Espanol Klüver-Bucy syndrome en Francais
Business
Klüver-Bucy syndrome in the Marketplace Patents on Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Klüver-Bucy syndrome

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Klüver-Bucy syndrome is a behavioral disorder that occurs when both the right and left medial temporal lobes of the brain malfunction. The amygdala has been a particularly implicated brain region in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

In rhesus monkeys

The syndrome is named for Heinrich Klüver and Paul Bucy, who removed the temporal lobe bilaterally in rhesus monkeys in an attempt to determine its function. This caused the monkeys to develop visual agnosia, emotional changes, altered sexual behavior, hypermetamorphosis and oral tendencies.

Though the monkeys could see, they were unable to recognize even previously familiar objects, or their use. They would examine their world with their mouths instead of their eyes ("oral tendencies") and developed a desire to explore everything ("hypermetamorphosis").

Their overt sexual behavior increased dramatically ("hypersexualism"), and the monkeys indulged in indiscriminate sexual behavior including masturbation, heterosexual acts and homosexual acts.

Emotionally, the monkeys became dulled, and their facial expressions and vocalizations became far less expressive. They were also less fearful of things that would have instinctively panicked them in their natural state, such as humans or snakes. Even after being attacked by a snake, they would willingly approach it again. This aspect of change was termed "placidity".

In humans

People with lesions in their temporal lobes (a bilateral lesion) show similar behaviors. They may display oral or tactile exploratory behavior (socially inappropriate licking or touching); hypersexuality; bulimia; memory disorders; flattened emotions (placidity); and an inability to recognize objects or inability to recognize faces.

The full syndrome rarely, if ever, develops in humans. However, parts of it are often noted in patients with extensive bilateral temporal damage caused by herpes or other encephalitis, dementias of degenerative (Alzheimer's disease, Pick's Disease) or post-traumatic etiologies or cerebrovascular disease.