J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1992; 4:45-50
Copyright © 1992 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Hypothalamic lesions and intermittent explosive disorder
JM Tonkonogy and JL Geller
Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.
The authors present two cases of patients with craniopharyngiomas who meet
the DSM-III-R criteria for intermittent explosive disorder. Episodes of
rage developed before and/or after surgery for removal of the
craniopharyngioma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hypothalamic-
hypophyseal involvement. It is suggested that hypothalamic lesions played a
major role in the development of aggressive behavior in both cases.
