Bitemporaalisia

Bitemporaalisia is a coined term used in some theoretical discussions to describe a pattern of phenomena that are alleged to originate in both temporal lobes of the brain. It is not a widely accepted medical diagnosis and does not appear in major diagnostic manuals or standard clinical guidelines.

Etymology-wise, the name combines bi- meaning two and temporal, referring to the temporal lobes, with the suffix -ia indicating a condition. The term is therefore intended to denote a bilateral temporal involvement, but its exact meaning varies among authors.

Proposed features of bitemporaalisia in speculative use include bilateral auditory perceptual changes (such as hearing sounds without external stimuli), disturbances in memory or emotion regulation, and sometimes symmetrical seizure-like activity. However, symptom clusters are variably described and there is no consensus on a core or exclusive set of criteria.

Diagnosis and differentiation in discussions of bitemporaalisia would rely on imaging or electrophysiological data indicating bilateral temporal lobe involvement, alongside clinical features. It is not part of standard classifications for epilepsy, psychiatry, or neurology, and cases with such features are typically considered under existing categories like temporal lobe epilepsy or temporo-limbic disorders.

History and usage indicate that the term appears sporadically in theoretical or fictional contexts and has limited or no formal standing in medical literature as of the mid-2020s. It is often used to discuss bilateral temporal dynamics in a generalized sense rather than to denote a discrete, recognized syndrome. See also temporal lobe epilepsy; temporo-limbic network; bilateral brain activity.