Electro-clinical correlations in the six per second spike and wave complex

Abstract

1. 1. This study dealt with the electro-clinical correlations of a rare waveform, the 6/sec spike and wave complex, usually seen maximal on the occipital areas, bilaterally synchronous and symmetrical against a normal background rhythm. 2. 2. The majority of these complexes appear in the resting record, but the activating procedures of hyperventilation, light sleep, and especially photic stimulation are all important to detect this abnormality. 3. 3. The 6/sec spike and wave complexes are seen mainly in white, young adult females. Head injury and excessive use of drugs seem to be important etiological factors. 4. 4. The clinical symptoms can be grouped into the following categories: (a) convulsive attacks (62%), especially grand mal seizures, (b) vegetative attacks (72%), especially headaches and syncope, and (c) psychiatric symptoms (78%). 5. 5. The possible relationship between the 6/sec spike and wave pattern and both the 3/sec spike and wave complex and the positive spike phenomenon was discussed.