Subjective proof proposes that the hypothalamus, a structure lying deep within the brain could be involved in producing laughter.

Their analysis suggests that in all 100 cases, the hamartomas were centered at the level of the mammillary bodies in the posterior region of the hypothalamus, suggesting that the laughing seizures are due to the involvement of the mammillary bodies or the nearby nuclei in the posterior hypothalamus. The investigators also found that patients with mixed gelastic and other types of seizures had the same size of lesions, but significantly longer lifetime duration of epilepsy compared to patients solely having gelastic seizures, suggesting that the pattern of seizures will change with the duration of epilepsy even though the size of hammartoma remains the same with age.
Editors Note: Authors of this study will be available at a press briefing at 3:00 pm, Sunday, December 4 in the onsite press room, Room 336, of the Baltimore Convention Center. Briefing call-in number: Dial in on 1-866-740-1260; PIN 5867508#
About the American Epilepsy Society (AES)
The American Epilepsy Society, based in West Hartford, CT, seeks to advance and improve the treatment of epilepsy through the promotion of research and education for healthcare professionals. Society membership includes epileptologists and other medical professionals, allied healthcare professionals, and scientists concerned with the care of people who have seizure disorders.
Source-Newswise