Epilepsy and criminal behavior (review of literature)

With epilepsy, behavioral disorders are possible, including criminal ones. Criminal incidents can occur in the preictal, interictal, ictal and postictal periods, and may be due to adverse events of anticonvulsants and other factors. The most dangerous postictal behavioral disorder, including in terms of criminal incidents, is postictal psychosis.Often people with epilepsy need experienced neurologists and lawyers to resolve criminal situations. The International League Against Epilepsy recommends criteria for determining whether a particular criminal act committed by a patient with epilepsy is the result of an epileptic seizure.In general, a forensically sound, comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of criminal behavior in epilepsy is required, which combines neuropsychiatric, neuropsychological and psychophysiological methods, taking into account risk factors and aggravating factors.