When the Temporal Lobe Goes Awry – Psychological Conditions Part- 1

Temporal Lobe and Psychological Disorders

The temporal lobe, a crucial region of the brain, plays a significant role in various cognitive functions, including memory, emotion, hearing, and language comprehension. Consequently, its dysfunction can lead to a range of psychological disorders. In this article and the next, we will discuss a few such disorders and how the temporal lobe is affected in each one.

Schizophrenia

Auditory hallucinations are a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia, often involving voices or other sounds. Research into the temporal lobe's involvement in schizophrenia has often employed neuroimaging techniques like MRI and fMRI. Studies have shown abnormalities in temporal lobe structure and function in patients with schizophrenia.

Scientists have found that the brains of people with schizophrenia look different in the area called the temporal lobe. This part of the brain is important for understanding language, called Wernicke’s Area. Studies have shown that this area is smaller and doesn't work as it is expected to in people with schizophrenia. This might be why many people with schizophrenia hear voices (hallucinations).

Research has also shown that even post-recovery, cognitive deficits such as memory impairment, inability to pay attention or focus, and problems with producing or understanding language tend to persist. There can be difficulties with understanding emotions of oneself and others as well. All these functions need the temporal lobes to work well.

Capgras Delusion

Consider a woman of 50 years, who feels like her daughter is not the true daughter, but replaced by someone who looks, talks, speaks, and walks just like her. She also believes her husband is replaced by an identical-looking person. When her distraught family tries to repeatedly tell her that they are really who they seem to be, she rejects it immediately and tells them that they are government employees sent to harm her. This is the unsettling experience of Capgras delusion.

Despite recognizing their physical appearance, individuals with this condition are convinced that the person in front of them is a fake. This bizarre belief often stems from a disconnect between the visual recognition of a person and the emotional connection associated with them.

Research suggests that Capgras delusion might stem from a disconnection between two crucial brain regions:

• The amygdala: This region plays a critical role in emotional processing and fear conditioning. Damage or dysfunction in the amygdala can lead to abnormal emotional responses.
• The fusiform face area (FFA): This area is specialized in facial recognition. It's believed that while the FFA is intact in Capgras delusion, the emotional component provided by the amygdala is missing.

Bipolar Disorder

The link between bipolar disorder and temporal lobe dysfunction is complex and still being researched. However, there are some potential connections:

• Mood Regulation: The temporal lobe plays a role in mood regulation. Dysfunction in this area could contribute to the extreme mood swings characteristic of bipolar disorder.
• Memory and Cognitive Issues: People with bipolar disorder often experience memory problems and difficulty concentrating, which could be linked to temporal lobe involvement.
• Psychosis: Some people with bipolar disorder experience psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, which might be related to temporal lobe abnormalities.

Combining medication, psychotherapy/Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and regular visits to consulting doctors is advised in the above conditions, as these are not to be taken lightly.

We've only scratched the surface of the complex relationship between the temporal lobe and psychological conditions. Let us continue this conversation in the next article.