Department of
Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna,
Bologna, Italy
Yawning and sexual
behavior in human epileptic seizures. a
videopolygraphic presentation
Epileptic seizures,
particularly those involving, primarily or
secondarily, the hypothalamic and lymbic
networks can induce vegetative (respiratory,
cardiac), thermic and neuroendocrine
effects.
Yawning, associated with
postural changes (increased or decreased
muscular activity of antigravitary muscles) and
with sexual automatisms (genital manipulations)
can represent an ictal manifestations during
epileptic seizures.
In an ethological
perspective we can consider that in man yawning
is a fragment of a genetically determined
behavior, involving approach (sexual?) or
avoidance behaviors and comprising sexual
displays usually not evident in man, but
released &endash;transiently- by the seizure
event.
