Nonepileptic Seizures Research Articles

A Case Study of Comorbid Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures and Epileptic Seizures in an Adolescent Female with Depression

Among patients with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), about 10% to 30% have epilepsy, which brings some difficulties in diagnosis. Usually, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and epileptic seizures occur independently at different points in time, and their performance is similar, but rarely seizures can occur several times in a row. This paper reports a case of adolescent depression in our hospital, who experienced psychogenic non-epileptic seizures followed by epileptic seizures.

A comparison between two validated screening tools to diagnose psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): The PNES-DSQ and the SS-PNES

A comparison between two validated screening tools to diagnose psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): The PNES-DSQ and the SS-PNES

"Is it a seizure?" Prediction tool for seizure likelihood in children aged 1-24 months admitted for electroencephalographic monitoring of paroxysmal, rhythmic, and repetitive events.

Paroxysmal, rhythmic, and repetitive events (PRREs) during infancy can be concerning for possible seizures, especially following perinatal brain injuries. The workup for establishing whether a PRRE represents a seizure involves the use of continuous video-electroencephalography (cVEEG) for event characterization. This study aims to determine the diagnostic yield of cVEEG for evaluating events concerning for seizures in children aged 1-24 months. We performed a single-center retrospective chart review (January 1, 2019-December 31, 2020) and included all children aged 1-24 months admitted for PRRE capture and characterization using cVEEG. Chart abstraction included demographics, birth and family history, known brain injury, event semiology, duration, and frequency, as well as interictal electroencephalographic (EEG) features. For each of these variables, odds ratios for seizure prediction were calculated. A total of 243 patients were identified for this study. On cVEEG, n = 160 (65.4%) had a target event of concern captured during an initial admission with cVEEG. Whereas n = 41 (25.8%) patients with events captured were confirmed to have seizures, most patients (n = 119) were confirmed to have nonepileptic events. Several variables predicted seizure likelihood during the initial admission with cVEEG, including event duration (>1 min), frequency (occurring ≥3 times per week), and presence of abnormal interictal findings on cVEEG. For patients who did not receive a diagnosis at the time of initial admission with cVEEG, the likelihood of a subsequent epilepsy diagnosis was associated with specific PRRE semiology (motor active or motor passive), longer event duration (>1 min duration), and the presence of interictal abnormal EEG features on initial cVEEG admission. Prediction tools utilizing scoring systems to stratify risk in infants with suspected seizures due to PRREs are included. Unique patient attributes and PRRE characteristics, as well as the presence of EEG interictal abnormalities, can provide valuable insights for discerning children with a higher likelihood of epilepsy diagnosis following cVEEG admission.

P.003 Outcome of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures following diagnosis in the epilepsy monitoring unit

Background: study patients with PNES’ outcome after their diagnosis in the EMU. Methods: Comparative analyses were carried out on several variables before and after diagnosis: number of participants with daily PNES, number of visits to the emergency department, number of participants who took ASMs or psychotropic drugs, and employment status. Results: 61/103 patients (79% female) participated. The median age at PNES onset was 35 years. 62% were receiving ASMs and 40% psychotropic drugs. The mean stay at the EMU was five days. PNES diagnosis was explained to almost all patients (97%) by the end of their EMU stay and was well accepted by most (89%). When contacted, 46% of participants no longer had PNES; 32% mentioned that their PNES had ceased immediately upon communication of the diagnosis. Fewer patients had daily seizures after the diagnosis. Similarly, the median number of emergency department visits was significantly lower. Only 17 patients consulted their general practitioner and 20 a neurologist after a PNES attack. The use of ASMs was also significantly reduced from 70% to 33%, with only one still taking an ASM for its antiseizure properties. Conclusions: significant reductions in PNES frequency, health care utilization and ASM use.

Exploring therapeutic interventions for functional neurological disorders: a comprehensive scoping review.

Functional Neurological Disorders (FNDs) are characterized by the symptoms experienced by the individuals but also by how they express personal experiences and concerns related to the clinical condition. Access to care programs for functional neurological symptoms appears challenging and may entail circular, self-perpetuating healthcare pathways. Given the challenging and misleading interpretations around FND, in advocating for care pathways beyond medical therapies, we designed a scoping review to map recently suggested practices and interventions. We identified 31 relevant papers published between January 2018 and December 2022. Most of the literature was gathered from the US and UK healthcare experiences, with documented interventions provided by multi-professional teams or stand-alone psychotherapists. We found different care pathways addressing either motor or non-motor manifestations. Persons with Functional Motor Disorder are more likely to be referred to physical therapy first, while Persons suffering from Non-Epileptic Seizures are to mental health services. A narrow focus was given to minor components of multimodal approaches (e.g. social workers, and occupational therapists). High heterogeneity was found between assessment instruments as well, reflecting different perspectives in selecting treatment outcomes (e.g., reduction of non-epileptic events, psychological functioning, motor symptoms). Among healthcare professionals, neurologists and (neuro)psychiatrists are typically engaged in formulating and delivering diagnoses, while treatment is often administered by physiotherapists and/or psychologists. In the context of FNDs, the complex etiopathological nature of the condition, including comorbidities, suggests the recommendation of multidisciplinary treatments adopting a stepped care model progressing from standard to higher level individualized modules may better suit individual complexities.

Inpatient treatment of people with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in epilepsy centers? A critical statement

Inpatient treatment of people with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in epilepsy centers? A critical statement

Personality disorders in people with epilepsy: a review.

Epileptologists and psychiatrists have long observed a correlation between epilepsy and personality disorders (PDs) in their clinical practice. We conducted a comprehensive PubMed search looking for evidence on PDs in people with epilepsy (PwE). Out of over 600 results obtained without applying any time restriction, we selected only relevant studies (both analytical and descriptive) limited to English, Italian, French and Spanish languages, with a specific focus on PDs, rather than traits or symptoms, thus narrowing our search down to 23 eligible studies. PDs have been investigated in focal epilepsy (predominantly temporal lobe epilepsy - TLE), juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), with heterogeneous methodology. Prevalence rates of PDs in focal epilepsy ranged from 18 to 42% in surgical candidates or post-surgical individuals, with Cluster C personality disorders or related traits and symptoms being most common. In JME, prevalence rates ranged from 8 to 23%, with no strong correlation with any specific PDs subtype. In PNES, prevalence rates ranged from 30 to 60%, with a notable association with Cluster B personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder. The presence of a PD in PwE, irrespective of subtype, complicates treatment management. However, substantial gaps of knowledge exist concerning the neurobiological substrate, effects of antiseizure medications and epilepsy surgery on concomitant PDs, all of which are indeed potential paths for future research.

Correlative analysis of dissociative disorder among Kashmiri population

Correlative analysis of dissociative disorder among Kashmiri population

Efficacy of verbal suggestion, verbal suggestion with a tuning fork, and verbal suggestion with a cotton swab for inducing the paroxysmal event during video-EEG recording in children with suspected psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

IntroductionVideo-electroencephalogram (EEG) with suggestion is widely considered the gold standard for diagnosing psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). However, ethical concerns and uncertainties persist regarding the most minimally invasive and least deceptive suggestion approach. Materials and methodsIn an open-label randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effectiveness of three suggestion methods (verbal suggestion, verbal suggestion with a tuning fork, and verbal suggestion with a cotton swab) during short-term video-EEG (STVEEG) recordings to induce PNES in children aged 5–18 years. If the paroxysmal event couldn't be elicited with the assigned method, alternative techniques were employed. ResultsOut of 97 initially screened children, 75 were enrolled, with 25 in each group. The efficacy of all three suggestion methods was comparable in reproducing paroxysmal events (success rate of 16/25, 17/25 and 17/25 in verbal suggestion only, verbal suggestion with tuning fork and sterile cotton swab group respectively, p = 0.83) and the time required for induction (median of 2, 3 and 3 min respectively, p = 0.21). After trying alternative methods, 20 %, 12 %, and 12 % more patients in these three groups, respectively, were able to reproduce the paroxysmal event, with the differences not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.74). The assigned induction method or the success/failure of event reproduction did not significantly impact clinical outcomes at 12 weeks, and none of the patients in whom PNES could not be reproduced during STVEEG were later found to have an organic cause. Only the presence of psychiatric comorbidity independently predicted successful event reproduction during STVEEG, with statistical significance even after adjusting for other variables (p = 0.03). ConclusionThe efficacy of verbal suggestion alone in inducing paroxysmal nonepileptic seizures is on par with using a tuning fork or cotton swab in conjunction with verbal suggestion during STVEEG.

Differentiating Epileptic and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures Using Machine Learning Analysis of EEG Plot Images.

The treatment of epilepsy, the second most common chronic neurological disorder, is often complicated by the failure of patients to respond to medication. Treatment failure with anti-seizure medications is often due to the presence of non-epileptic seizures. Distinguishing non-epileptic from epileptic seizures requires an expensive and time-consuming analysis of electroencephalograms (EEGs) recorded in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Machine learning algorithms have been used to detect seizures from EEG, typically using EEG waveform analysis. We employed an alternative approach, using a convolutional neural network (CNN) with transfer learning using MobileNetV2 to emulate the real-world visual analysis of EEG images by epileptologists. A total of 5359 EEG waveform plot images from 107 adult subjects across two epilepsy monitoring units in separate medical facilities were divided into epileptic and non-epileptic groups for training and cross-validation of the CNN. The model achieved an accuracy of 86.9% (Area Under the Curve, AUC 0.92) at the site where training data were extracted and an accuracy of 87.3% (AUC 0.94) at the other site whose data were only used for validation. This investigation demonstrates the high accuracy achievable with CNN analysis of EEG plot images and the robustness of this approach across EEG visualization software, laying the groundwork for further subclassification of seizures using similar approaches in a clinical setting.

Differentiating non-epileptic seizures from epileptic seizures in Glut1 deficiency syndrome.

To investigate the clinical characteristics of non-epileptic seizures due to transient brain dysfunction caused by energy deficiency after prolonged fasting or exercise in individuals with glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1DS), and then elucidate further the seizure features to distinguish non-epileptic seizures from epileptic seizures. This retrospective case-control study included 57 non-epileptic seizures and 23 epileptic seizures (control group) in 14 individuals (11 males, three females; aged 5-44 years, median = 20 years) with Glut1DS, all with a heterozygous pathogenic SLC2A1 mutation. Non-epileptic seizures were classified as paroxysmal altered consciousness (n = 8), movement disorders (n = 35) (eye-head movements, ataxia, spasticity, weakness, involuntary movement), dysaesthesia (n = 8), and vomiting (n = 6) at the peak ages at onset of 5 to 10 years. Ketogenic diet therapy was effective in 33 of 43 (77%) non-epileptic seizures. Providing supplementary food before high-impact exercise or during attacks prevented or mitigated non-epileptic seizures in some individuals. Glut1DS-associated non-epileptic seizures are fundamentally situation-related seizures with specific provoking and ameliorating factors. Non-epileptic seizures can be distinguished from epileptic seizures by the absence of complete consciousness loss and rapid postictal recovery despite prolonged seizures. Non-epileptic seizures are not well recognized but require different therapeutic approaches compared to epileptic seizures. Awareness of the differentiation of non-epileptic seizures from epileptic seizures is essential when performing preventive or therapeutic decision-making for acute exacerbation seizures. Non-epileptic seizures are invariably situation-related seizures. Non-epileptic seizures were classified as altered consciousness, movement disorders, dysaesthesia, and vomiting. Non-epileptic seizures were characterized by the absence of complete consciousness loss and were accompanied by rapid recovery. Non-epileptic seizures can occur simultaneously or consecutively with another. Supplementary food can be effective in preventing the development of sustained exercise-induced movement disorders.

Clinical approaches for poststroke seizure: a review.

Poststroke seizure is a potential complication of stroke, which is the most frequent acute symptomatic seizure in adults. Patients with stroke may present with an abnormal or aggressive behavior accompanied by altered mental status and symptoms, such as hemiparesis, dysarthria, and sensory deficits. Although stroke manifestations that mimic seizures are rare, diagnosing poststroke seizures can be challenging when accompanied with negative postictal symptoms. Differential diagnoses of poststroke seizures include movement disorders, syncope, and functional (nonepileptic) seizures, which may present with symptoms similar to seizures. Furthermore, it is important to determine whether poststroke seizures occur early or late. Seizures occurring within and after 7 d of stroke onset were classified as early and late seizures, respectively. Early seizures have the same clinical course as acute symptomatic seizures; they rarely recur or require long-term antiseizure medication. Conversely, late seizures are associated with a risk of recurrence similar to that of unprovoked seizures in a patient with a focal lesion, thereby requiring long-term administration of antiseizure medication. After diagnosis, concerns regarding treatment strategies, treatment duration, and administration of primary and secondary prophylaxis often arise. Antiseizure medication decisions for the initiation of short-term primary and long-term secondary seizure prophylaxis should be considered for patients with stroke. Antiseizure drugs such as lamotrigine, carbamazepine, lacosamide, levetiracetam, phenytoin, and valproate may be administered. Poststroke seizures should be diagnosed systematically through history with differential diagnosis; in addition, classifying them as early or late seizures can help to determine treatment strategies.

Emergency Department Treatment of Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures: A Retrospective Chart Review (P7-1.005)

Emergency Department Treatment of Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures: A Retrospective Chart Review (P7-1.005)

Reconsidering the Ethics of Provocation Techniques for Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures and Proposed Ethical Guidelines for Use (P2-10.005)

Reconsidering the Ethics of Provocation Techniques for Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures and Proposed Ethical Guidelines for Use (P2-10.005)

Responsive neurostimulation as a therapy for epilepsy following new-onset refractory status epilepticus: Case series and review of the literature

ObjectiveTo report clinical outcomes of patients who presented with new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), developed drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), and were treated with responsive neurostimulation (RNS). MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients implanted with RNS at our institution and identified three who originally presented with NORSE. Through chart review, we retrieved objective and subjective information related to their presentation, workup, and outcomes including patient-reported seizure frequency. We reviewed electrocorticography (ECoG) data to estimate seizure burden at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months following RNS implantation. We performed a review of literature concerning neurostimulation in NORSE. ResultsUse of RNS to treat DRE following NORSE was associated with reduced seizure burden and informed care by differentiating epileptic from non-epileptic events. ConclusionsOur single-center experience of three cases suggests that RNS is a safe and potentially effective treatment for DRE following NORSE. SignificanceThis article reports outcomes of the largest case series of NORSE patients treated with RNS. Since patients with NORSE are at high risk of adverse neuropsychiatric and cognitive sequelae beyond seizures, a unique strength of RNS over other surgical options is the ability to distinguish ictal or peri-ictal from non-epileptic events.

Design and validation of a diagnostic suspicion checklist to differentiate epileptic from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES-DSC)

ObjectivePsychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are complex clinical manifestations and misdiagnosis as status epilepticus remains high, entailing deleterious consequences for patients. Video-electroencephalography (vEEG) remains the gold-standard method for diagnosing PNES. However, time and economic constraints limit access to vEEG, and clinicians lack fast and reliable screening tools to assist in the differential diagnosis with epileptic seizures (ES). This study aimed to design and validate the PNES-DSC, a clinically based PNES diagnostic suspicion checklist with adequate sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) to discriminate PNES from ES. MethodsA cross-sectional study with 125 patients (n = 104 drug-resistant epilepsy; n = 21 PNES) admitted for a vEEG protocolised study of seizures. A preliminary PNES-DSC (16-item) was designed and used by expert raters blinded to the definitive diagnosis to evaluate the seizure video recordings for each patient. Cohen's kappa coefficient, leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) and balance accuracy (BAC) comprised the main validation analysis. ResultsThe final PNES-DSC is a 6-item checklist that requires only two to be present to confirm the suspicion of PNES. The LOOCV showed 71.4% BAC (Se = 45.2%; Sp = 97.6%) when the expert rater watched one seizure video recording and 83.4% BAC (Se = 69.6%; Sp = 97.2%) when the expert rater watched two seizure video recordings. ConclusionThe PNES-DSC is a straightforward checklist with adequate psychometric properties. With an integrative approach and appropriate patient history, the PNES-DSC can assist clinicians in expediting the final diagnosis of PNES when vEEG is limited. The PNES-DSC can also be used in the absence of patients, allowing clinicians to assess seizure recordings from smartphones.

A case report on psychogenic non-epileptic disorder

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizure (PNES) involves attacks that act as epilepsy-related seizures. PNES is more likely to affect women than men and utmost generally begins in the youth. Epileptic seizures generally last between 30 and 120 s depending on the type, while PNES occurrences generally last for two to five twinkles. Features that are common in PNES but rarer in epilepsy include smelling the tip of the lingo, seizures lasting further than two twinkles (easiest factor to distinguish), seizures having a gradational onset, a shifting course of complaint inflexibility, the eyes being closed during a seizure, and side to side head movements. Psychotherapy is the most constantly used treatment, which might include cognitive behavioral remedy or remedy to retrain the physical symptoms and allow the existent to recapture control of the attacks. There is also some substantiation supporting picky serotonin reuptake asset antidepressants. Here, we present the case of a 45-year-old female presented with the chief complaints of giddiness in the right ear for 1 week, vomiting for 2 days, and two episodes of bilateral upper and lower body jerks. Later on, she was diagnosed with PNES.

“Do We Have to Tell Him He Hasn’t Been Getting Ativan?”: Truth Telling for a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures

The authors present a case study involving truth telling responsibilities in the setting of nonepileptic seizures. Specifically, over the course of several suspected nonepileptic seizures, a patient’s seizures stopped after he received a saline flush meant to precede the administration of anti-seizure medication. The patient and his surrogate believed he had received the medication each time, and the team wondered whether they should disclose the truth. Some worried that disclosure would reinforce the suspected psychogenic behavior, exacerbating the patient’s condition. In this way, the case study presents a twist on the traditional truth telling archetype. While most truth telling cases center on navigating cultural differences or worries about emotional harm, this case presented concerns about medical harm in the form of exacerbating the patient’s condition. The authors describe the complex patient-family-team dynamic that preceded this ethical dilemma, describe the case, analyze the ethical issue, and describe the outcome.

A rare presentation of geriatric non-epileptic seizures due to carotid artery encasement of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A case report

A rare presentation of geriatric non-epileptic seizures due to carotid artery encasement of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A case report

Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) Who Request Reinstatement of Their Driving Privileges

Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) Who Request Reinstatement of Their Driving Privileges