Sixteen patients, ages 16 to 32 years, implanted with depth electrodes at Hopital Saint-Anne, Paris, France, had experienced a dreamy state (deja-vu - deja vecu, memories of complete scenes, or vague reminiscence) during sterotactic EEG (SEEG). Seizures had been present from 2 to 25 years, they began before the age of 10 years in 50% of patients, and occurred at least once a week. Etiological factors included neonatal injury (6), febrile convulsion (1), tumors (3). Most patients had dreamy states in their spontaneous seizures; the amygdala, anterior hippocampus, and temporal neocortex were all involved in recordings. They were also evoked by stimulation of the temporal neocortex (88%), anterior hippocampus (83%), or amygdala (73%). The superior temporal gyrus was more responsive than the middle temporal gyrus. [1]
COMMENT. Deja vu and other dreamy states in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy may originate in and involve both medial and lateral aspects of the temporal lobe and especially the anterior hippocampus, amygdala and superior temporal gyrus.