Musicogenic seizures in Dravet syndrome

Abstract

Dravet syndrome is an epileptic encephalopathy characterized by multiple types of seizures. We report the first case of musicogenic reflex seizures in a 7‐year‐old male with a mutation in the SCN1A gene causing Dravet syndrome. Reflex seizures have been reported in patients with Dravet syndrome provoked by body temperature elevation, looking at visual patterns, or under intermittent photic stimulation. The case we report widens the spectrum of reflex seizures recorded in patients with Dravet syndrome. Cortical hyperexcitability of genetic origin could explain the tendency of these patients to experience reflex seizures.

Musicogenic reflex seizures in epilepsy with glutamic acid decarbocylase antibodies

“…MRS have usually been reported in patients with normal structural magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI); however, they have also been seen in patient with cortical dysplasia within the superior temporal gyrus , in patients with left frontotemporal astrocytoma, in patient with hippocampal sclerosis and in patient with Dravet syndrome . These seizures are probably not specific to any etiology, although in most cases, the etiology is not known.…”

A case of Dravet syndrome with focal cortical myoclonus

“…The underlying mechanisms of focal cortical myoclonus in our case may be cortical hyperexcitability because of no obvious structural brain lesions. Other rare forms of seizure of DS with SCN1A mutation were reported such as photosensitive myoclonic absence seizures, intermittent photic stimulation-induced occipital seizures, musicogenic reflex seizures, and seizures triggered by perineal stimulation or diaper change [10][11][12][13][14]. Although the seizures of DS are intractable, the interictal EEG remains free of epileptic discharges during the first year of life [15].…”

Seizure precipitants in Dravet syndrome: What events and activities are specifically provocative compared with other epilepsies?

“…Seizures may, thus, be prevented by either wearing sunglasses or cooling down. To determine the nature of a seizure precipitant, video-EEG studies may be very useful as described in a child with DS with musicogenic seizures [8].…”

“…Vaccinations and hot water baths have been shown to be common precipitants for first and subsequent seizures in DS as well [1][2][3][4]. A variety of other factors, including flickering sunlight, striped patterns, music, fatigue, stress, and physical exercise, have been reported to provoke seizures in individual cases but have not been studied systematically in cohorts with DS [1,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”