Klüver-Bucy syndrome is a rare behavioral impairment that is associated with damage to both of the anterior temporal lobes of the brain. The amygdala has been a particularly implicated brain region in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.
The disorder may be associated with herpes encephalitis and trauma, which can result in brain damage. Other conditions may also contribute to a diagnosis of Klüver-Bucy syndrome, including:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Ischemia
- Anoxia
- Progressive subcortical gliosis
- Rett syndrome
- Porphyria
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
It causes individuals to put objects in their mouths and engage in inappropriate sexual behavior. Other symptoms may include:
- Visual agnosia (inability to visually recognize objects)
- Loss of normal fear and anger responses
- Memory loss
- Distractibility
- Seizures
- Dementia
It is rare for humans to manifest all of the identified symptoms of the syndrome; three or more are required for diagnosis.
There is no cure for Klüver-Bucy syndrome. The disorder is not life-threatening, but the patient can be difficult to manage. With treatment, symptoms may slowly decline.
Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, and may include drug therapy.