National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Kluver Bucy syndrome


Other Names:
Bilateral temporal lobe disorder; Post-encephalitic Kluver Bucy syndrome (type); Post-traumatic Kluver Bucy syndrome (type); Bilateral temporal lobe disorder; Post-encephalitic Kluver Bucy syndrome (type); Post-traumatic Kluver Bucy syndrome (type); Memory loss, extreme sexual behavior, placidity, and visual distractibility See More
Kluver Bucy syndrome is a rare behavioral impairment characterized by inappropriate sexual behaviors and mouthing of objects. Other signs and symptoms, include a diminished ability to visually recognize objects, loss of normal fear and anger responses, memory loss, distractibility, seizures, and dementia. It is associated with damage to the anterior temporal lobes of the brain. Cases have been reported in association with herpes encephalitis and head trauma.[1][2] Treatment is symptomatic and may include the use of psychotropic medications.[2]
Last updated: 4/11/2016

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

In-Depth Information

  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Kluver Bucy syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. NINDS Klüver-Bucy syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. July 2, 2008; https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Kl%C3%BCver-Bucy-Syndrome-Information-Page.
  2. Bransfield RC. Klüver-Bucy Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). 2015; http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/kluver-bucy-syndrome/.