Bipolar Illness After Right Hemispherectomy

Abstract

• A man with cerebral palsy had his right cerebral cortex removed at the age of 18 years because of intractable epilepsy. The operation cured the epilepsy, but at the age of 45 years and after a number of unipolar depressions, he experienced rapidcycling bipolar illness. Mood swings that were highly stereotypical and regular occurred. The mood disorder responded poorly to lithium carbonate alone, but responded well when carbamazepine was added to the regimen.