Self-representation in Kleine-Levin syndrome: a single case fMRI study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia, compulsive hyperphagia, disinhibition, hypersexuality and self modifications. To investigate the Self, we used afunctional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm evaluating Self-reference processing (SRP) and Self-reference effect (SRE) in a17-year-old male adolescent at the end of an episode. We observed enhanced activations in right hemisphere and posterior areas– associated with physical Self representations– during the SRP condition, while during the SRE condition, enhanced activations in bilateral but prevailing left frontal areas– associated with the conceptual Self. These results suggest amodified Self during aKLS episode being more physically grounded.