Question

An elderly hospitalized patient with vascular risk factors has a stroke. The patient's behavior following the stroke is noted to be unusually calm and markedly hypersexual. This presentation probably resulted from a stroke to the:

A. Hippocampi
B. Nucleus accumbens
C. Hypothalamus
D. Occipital lobes
E. Amygdaloid bodies

Answer 1

The behavioral changes of unusual calmness and hypersexuality following a stroke suggest that the stroke affected the hypothalamus, which regulates hormonal release, emotions, and sexual behaviors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The unusual calmness and marked hypersexuality presentation probably resulted from a stroke to the C. Hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus is involved with various functions including release of hormones, regulation of emotional expression and sexual behavior.

Thus, damage to this area can lead to disruptions in these functions, resulting in behavioral changes such as hypersexuality.