Hypothalamic hamartomas with gelastic seizures

A rare cerebral malformation with epilepsy syndrome characterized by early-onset gelastic (i.e. ictal laughter) or dacrystic (i.e., ictal crying) seizures due to non-neoplastic developmental malformation - hypothalamic hamartomas. In many patients, seizures progress to other seizure types including focal and generalized seizures, with concomitant cognitive decline and behavioral disorders. Some patients also present a precocious puberty.