Question
I'm looking for information on a (possible) brain tumor that triggers uncontrollable bursts of laughter, and sometimes causes seizures. I once recall reading something about it long ago, but I don't remember the details. If anyone here has any sources of information, I would appreciate seeing it here. I am just curious.
Erik.
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Answer
Good Grief! You all ask some TUFF questions!!
OK, Eric. I haven't researched this, so I'm just answering from the top of my head for now.
Almost any tumor of the brain can cause seizure activity. Seizures are usually a result of an interference with the electrical activity of the brain. It can be caused by scarring from an old head injury, tumors, chemical imbalances, etc.
A tumor that causes uncontrollable laughter would not be a specific type of tumor. It would depend more on the location of the tumor. The reason being is that each section of the brain controls certain functions. For instance, one area controls speech, another controls hearing, another controls vison and so on. A tumor in any of those areas can disrupt the normal function by wiping it out completely or it can trigger overactivity of the area depending on the size and location of the tumor.
Now, I am curious as to why you are curious about this? Do you know someone with this problem?
All seriousness aside.......I could think of worse things to happen to me than for my giggle button to get stuck. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure it isn't. I seem to have a problem controlling laughter at the most inopportune times! And I don't laugh quietly!
It has gotten me into more trouble than I care to tell you.
I have also heard of tumors being the cause of uncontrolled hiccupping. Additionally, there is also a condition called Tourette's syndrome that causes uncontrolled speech, especially swearing and inappropriate laughter.
When I was a teenager, I had a freind who experienced petit mal seizures. Those are the kind where they seem to remain conscious but "space out' for a few moments. His seizures would start with laughing. Not belly laughter but kind of a HEHEHE kind of thing. It would start quietly and get louder as the seizure went on. Then it would stop just as abruptly as it started. To watch it, it seemed as if he was just remembering a really good joke. But he had no memory of what had just occurred when the seizure ended. Could this be the type of thing you are referring to?
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