B-22 Non-Convulsive Seizure and Post-Ictal Psychosis Presenting as Foreign Language in a Monolingual Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective This paper seeks to advance the discussion of foreign language automatisms and clinical consequences of Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE) such as post-ictal psychosis. We present the first case of a monolingual English speaker communicating solely in Spanish, a non-native language during an epileptic episode. Method A 70-year old man with no history of seizures, epilepsy, or psychiatric illness presented to his primary care provider with episodes of confusion and "speaking Spanish." Prolonged video EEG performed after admission demonstrated a disorganized background with a mixture of generalized theta and delta activity with frequent focal and generalized ictal and epileptiform activity occurring predominantly out of the right hemisphere. Results Laboratory evaluation punctures were unrevealing. MRI of the brain with and without contrast were both normal. Keppra and Depakote were continued during the admission. His psychosis and cognitive impairment improved slowly over several days though he did not return back to his neurological baseline. He returned to speaking only English after several days of treatment. He continued to have frontal lobe dysfunction with psychotic features. A diagnosis of rapidly progressive dementia of unclear etiology was given. Conclusion Though foreign language automatisms are a rare consequence of NCSE, the combination of psychotic symptoms and confusion presented in this case creates an interesting connection between psychosis, dementia syndromes, and epilepsy, all involving aberrant activity or deficits in similar brain regions. The generation of foreign language automatisms may indicate a form of psychotic symptomology manifesting as a language anomaly as opposed to visual hallucinations, delusions, or formal thought disorder.