Differential diagnosis of epileptic versus pseudoepileptic seizures in developmentally disabled persons

Applied Research in Mental Retardation
J C Neill, N Alvarez

Abstract

One-hundred and twenty-four mentally retarded persons with behaviors suggestive of epilepsy were monitored with an 8-channel radiotelemetered electroencephalograph-video recording system (TEEG-VR). Target behaviors were identified by the clinical description of the primary care providers before the TEEG-VR sessions. Whenever possible, the known antecedents of those behaviors were replicated. The target behaviors were considered epileptic when they were observed simultaneously with epileptiform EEG patterns, and pseudoepileptic when nonepileptiform patterns were observed. Twenty persons were classified as epileptic, 50 as pseudoepileptic, 11 as both epileptic and pseudoepileptic, and 43 as inconclusive. Among the pseudoepileptics there were 15 with abnormal EEGs and 4 with epileptiform EEGs. The most frequent topographies of behavior were not significantly related to diagnosis. These included myoclonus, eye blink, head drop, cessation of ongoing activity, and hand and arm automatisms. The diagnosis of epilepsy in mentally retarded persons, on the basis of clinical description, interictal EEG, and medical history, may be inaccurate. TEEG-VR is extremely useful for obtaining a definitive diagnosis of each target behavior.

References

Dec 1, 1979·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·M F CataldoJ M Freeman
Jul 1, 1983·Neurology·R G FarielloW W Orrison
Jan 1, 1982·Neurology·T A GulickD W King
Nov 1, 1982·Annals of Neurology·J S LutherV Hope
Mar 1, 1981·Neurology·T P SutulaF E Dreifuss
Jan 1, 1982·Neurology·D W KingL C Ward
Jun 1, 1980·The American Journal of Psychiatry·S V RamaniR J Gumnit
Oct 1, 1980·The Journal of Pediatrics·G L HolmesF E Dreifuss

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 20, 2000·Indian Journal of Pediatrics·S K Tamer
Mar 1, 1989·Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology·J C Neill, N Alvarez
Apr 1, 1996·Pediatric Neurology·L CarmantS L Helmers
Jun 1, 1995·Seizure : the Journal of the British Epilepsy Association·L CarmantG L Holmes
Aug 30, 2002·Epilepsia·Markus ReuberChristian E Elger
May 1, 1991·Epilepsia·M E MetrickR B Loewenson
Jun 1, 1995·Epilepsia·J D SlaterR E Ramsay
Aug 28, 2007·Seizure : the Journal of the British Epilepsy Association·M ReuberL Styring
Aug 24, 1999·Seizure : the Journal of the British Epilepsy Association·J ParraA M Kanner
Jul 6, 2020·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·M A KutlubaevE D Belousova
Aug 1, 2021·Seizure : the Journal of the British Epilepsy Association·Gregg H RawlingsMarkus Reuber

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.