No abstract

No abstract

AS MUCH of the recent investigation into the field of activation of the electroencephalogram by intermittent photic stimulation has been of purely scientific nature,1 an account of a more practical application of the technique to the clinical problems of epilepsy seems appropriate. REPORT OF CASEHistory.\p=m-\J.G. a white farmer aged 31, since the age of 10 years had suffered from major convulsive seizures; these had gradually increased in severity and frequency until they numbered 10 to 12 a year. The patient had noted no aura or warning while he was conscious.The attacks, all preceded by exposure to bright or flickering light, consisted of a sudden loss of consciousness without warning, falling to the ground, and rolling up of the eyes, followed by generalized tonic and clonic convulsions. The average duration of such a seizure was 15 to 20 minutes. During seizures the patient had bitten his tongue, injured his lips, and fractured his jaw. Occasionally, at the beginning of a seizure, he would involuntarily bring his left hand before his eyes, a movement which he was able to control, at times, with great effort. The patient had learned that whenever he was exhausted, tense, or nervous he was more likely to have an attack. He had been treated by one of us (S. L.) with phénobarbital, bromides, and diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin), with some improvement.No abnormalities were found on physical, ophthalmological, or neurological examination except for scars on the chin and tongue. The results of urinalyses and blood examinations were reported as normal. The photogenic attacks were studied in detail with a view to determining the parameters of excitation.

No abstract