The Kluver-Bucy syndrome

The 100 Most Cited Kluver-Bucy Research Articles: A Bibliometric Analysis

Kluver-Bucy Syndrome (KBS) is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by hyperorality, hypersexuality, bulimia, visual agnosia, and amnesia due to lesions affecting bilateral temporal lobes. It is attributed to a multitude of causes, including stroke, herpes simplex encephalitis, Alzheimer's disease, and head trauma. Current treatments for KBS include symptomatic management with antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, carbamazepine, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The bibliometric analysis was done to reflect the relevance and understanding of KBS in recent literature. The SCOPUS database was utilized to conduct a search for all articles with the terms "Kluver-Bucy" and "Kluver Bucy" from January 1, 1955 (the first available articles from the search) to February 1, 2023. The parameters included in this analysis were article title, citation numbers, citations per year, authors, institutions, publishing journals, country of origin, Source Normalized Impact per Paper, and Scopus CiteScore. Since 1937, when Kluver-Bucy Syndrome was first defined, the publications on KBS have steadily increased, with up to six publications a year in 2002. The most common institutions were SUNY Upstate Medical University, VA Medical Center, and the State University of New York (SUNY) System. Seven of these papers were published in Neurology. Almost 75% of the articles were published in journals of medicine and neuroscience. This is the first bibliometric analysis to evaluate the most influential publications about Kluver-Bucy Syndrome. A majority of the research is case-based and there is a dearth of clinical trials to identify the exact pathophysiology and physiotherapy management, possibly owing to the rarity of the disease. Our research suggests that there may be a significant overlap between Sanfilippo syndrome and KBS, suggesting that refined guidelines for establishing diagnosis may be required for children. Our study could bring a renewed interest in this field and lead to additional research focused on understanding the pathophysiology of KBS in order to promote the development of novel diagnostics and treatment.

[Klüver-Bucy syndrome in humans]

The Klüver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) was first described in 1937 as an experimental neurobehavorial syndrome in monkeys with bitemporal brain lesions. The syndrome in man was subsequently observed to be transient or permanent in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders and after traumatic, nontraumatic, and infectious brain injury. Its most common manifestations are hyperorality with changes in dietary habits, hypersexuality, and visual agnosia. Seizures are another frequent symptom. Here we describe KBS in a female inpatient aged 30 in whom KBS and psychotic symptoms occurred together.

Time interval of oral feeding recovery as a prognostic factor in severe traumatic brain injury

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

To assess the outcome of severe traumatic brain injury at least 1 year after trauma, in relation to some early clinical prognostic factors occurring during coma recovery.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Retrospective study conducted at the post-coma unit of a rehabilitation hospital.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A total of 43 patients were included. All of the patients sustained severe traumatic brain injury and prolonged coma, i.e. coma lasting at least 15 days. Outcome was assessed by means of Glasgow Coma Scale, Barthel Index and Mini Mental State 1 year after trauma, in relation to some early clinical prognostic factors occurring during coma recovery.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

At the 1 year follow-up, a statistically significant correlation was found with both the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the Barthel Index for the time interval from brain injury to recovery of the following clinical variables: optical fixation, ability to obey commands, spontaneous motor activity and first safe oral feeding. Psychomotor agitation and bulimia were also favourable prognostic factors for the final outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, first safe oral feeding during coma recovery represents the clinical feature that better predicts the final outcome of patients with severe traumatic brain injury and prolonged coma.