Retroductive Reasoning in a Proposed Subtype of Partial Seizures, Evoked by Limbic “Kindling”

Abstract

This analysis provides a specific example of the generally applicable process of creative delineation of a novel pattern while searching for an explanatory hypothesis for puzzling observations. In so doing, the neglected retroductive form of inference or abduction was used. Central to such a process is the delineation of a specific “generative mechanism” capable of uniting and explaining heretofore unexplained phenomena. Herein the neurophysiologically known mechanism of limbic seizure “kindling” is offered as a unifying explanation for a dozen-bizarre phenomena, proposed as a new subtype of partial seizures, “Limbic Psychotic Trigger Reaction.” This new syndrome has been proposed over 15 years in 17 male social loners. Upon encounter with an individualized stimulus, which revived in memory prior moderately hurtful experiences, these men suddenly committed motiveless, unplanned acts with flat affect, transient psychosis and autonomic arousal, showing no quantitative impairment of consciousness and so without memory loss for their perplexing homicidal acts (13 cases), firesetting (3 cases), or bank robbery (1 case). Events occurred in three phases reminiscent of seizures: (1) aura-like puzzlement, (2) transient ictus with a limbic release of predatory or defensive aggression (circa 20 min.), and (3) postictal inefficient actions, implicating a transient frontal lobe system dysfunction secondary to the limbic hyperactivation. The 17 men were of diverse backgrounds, but all without history of prior violence or severe emotional trauma. Seven of 17 had some abnormal brain tests at some time during their lives and eight known histories of typically overlooked closed-brain injury. Brain damage may facilitate seizure “kindling” but has been traditionally observed in mammals and in a few humans without such damage.