Myoclonic astatic attacks in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Myoclonic astatic seizures are well known in children's generalized epilepsy. Some of our patients suffering from Parkinson's disease complained about sudden loss of postural reflexes together with dizziness or short loss of consciousness. When we looked into their electroencephalograms (EEG's), we found polyspikes and polyspike‐wave complexes that were seen especially after provocation by hyperventilation or photic stimulation. An additional therapy with sodium valproate diminished the myoclonic astatic attacks as well as the alterations in the EEG in all of the patients. None of them experienced a deterioration in their Parkinson's disease.

Additional therapies in Parkinson’s disease patients: useful tools for the improvement of the quality of life or senseless loss of resources?

“…When we applied MPS to the heads of 40 Parkinson's disease patients in 83 treatments, two patients (5%) showed developing spikes in their EEG with photic stimulation, indicating the danger of generalized epilepsy, which has been described in a subgroup of Parkinson's disease patients [4]. After a week without MPS the EEGs of these two patients returned to normal.…”

Epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases in adults: a clinical review

“…This last observation is the more interesting of the two, because it suggests that basal ganglia play a role in controlling epileptic seizures, although numerous questions are yet to be clarified (Vercueil, 2000;Vercueil and Hirsch, 2002). Myoclonus of cortical origin has been observed in Parkinson's disease; some myoclonias were triggered by intermittent photic stimulation, leading to the consideration of possible photosensitive epilepsy (Scarpino et al, 1990, Henneberg et al, 1998. In certain forms of multiple system atrophy (MSA), myoclonia triggered by intermittent photic stimulation have been reported (Obeso et al, 1985).…”

“…Certain of the figures found in articles concerning "photosensitive" Parkinson patients bring to mind this diagnosis (Scarpino et al, 1990, Henneberg et al, 1998.…”

Epilepsie et maladies neurodégénératives de l'adulte

“…Des myoclonies d'origine corticale ont été relevées au cours de maladie de Parkinson, dont certaines déclenchées par la stimulation lumineuse intermittente, conduisant à discuter une épilepsie photosensible [92,97]. Dans certaines formes d'atrophie multisystémique des myoclo- nies déclenchées par la stimulation lumineuse ont été rapportées [98].…”

“…Sur le plan EEG, cette réponse s'accompagne de potentiels d'origine musculaire sur les dérivations antérieures qui peuvent parfois en imposer pour une activité d'origine épileptique (figure 2). Certaines des figures illustrant les articles rapportant des sujets parkinsoniens « photosensibles » sont évocatrices de ce diagnostic [92,97].…”