Re: abnormal uncontrollable laughter

[Guest guest]

For those asking-

I am not to familiar with abnormal uncontrollable laughter,

though I have found this topic to be of interest and wanted

to help search for some information. I have found there

are just a few conditions that can cause abnormal episodes

of laughter. Below are some of my findings through the

internet. Perhaps this might lead you to some clues and

informative answers. I also listed some discussion groups

that you may join and find useful as well.

Hope this helps some!

Mustafa

Mom to Khalid, Jadd and Danya

(may need to cut and paste longer links)

le's long journey to still the laughter

By JULIE SZEGO

http://www.theage.com.au/news/20000527/A20702-2000May26.html

hypothalamic hamartomas

http://www.geocities.com/hhugs2001/infoabouthh.htm

" Epileptic syndrome associated with HH characteristically

begins in infancy with gelastic (laughing) seizures. Early

childhood psychomotor development is usually normal. The

episodes of laughter are brief, relatively frequent and

mechanical in nature. They so much resemble natural

laughter that parents and physicians often do not recognize

that the child is experiencing a seizure, thus leading to a

delay in diagnosis of epilepsy and the hypothalamic

hamartoma.

In later childhood, typically between the ages of 4 and 10,

the disorder enters a more ominous phase. Instead of the

pleasant infectious giggle, the laughing seizures become

longer and more severe, taking on less natural sounds.

Features of secondary generalized epilepsy may appear.

Multiple seizure patterns (including tonic, atonic and

tonic-clonic seizures) and progressive cognitive impairment

can also occur. Also at this later stage, the child

burdened by the HH may start to display bouts of extreme

rages, poor social adjustment, and often precocious (early)

puberty. "

Aplastic Anemia Archives

Hypothalamic hamartoma/ Gelastic Seizures

http://www.bcn.net/~stoll/archives/anemia/58062.html

Epilepsy - Internet Handbook of Neurology

http://www.neuropat.dote.hu/epilepsy.htm

Febrile Convulsions - Childhood Epilepsy

Provides an overview of childhood seizure disorders

including common febrile convulsions. Also features links

to related topics and treatments.

http://www.nyneurosurgery.org/cfr/epilepsy/types/generalized.htm

Hypothalamic Hamartoma Support Page

http://www.geocities.com/hhugs2001/

hhlist/

Hypothalamic Hamartoma Information and Support Share Group.

Rare brain tumor present since birth. Most common side

effects include behavior outbursts, gelastic or laughing

seizures, cognitive problems and early signs of puberty.

parents-of-kids-with-epilepsy/

This Group is for Parents of Children With Epilepsy. Visit

our home page at http://www.epiorg.org where we have child

profiles, recognition campaigns, essays, photos, chat, and

much more!