Neuropsychological EEG activation in patients with epilepsy

The Effect of Cognitive Functions on EEG in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

“…At least one NPA test provocated EEG discharges in the seven of 30 JME patients (23.3%) in our study. Matsouka et al [11] showed the provocative effect of NPA in the 46.7% of JME patients. In another study of patients with JME, Karachriastianou et al [12] reported that 23 of 30 patients (76.6%) showed EEG activation in response to at least one neuropsychological task.…”

“…We regarded the test as 'provocative' if the result was above 2.0, 'inhibitory' if below 0.5, 'without any effect' if between 0.5 and 2.0 as used in the study of Matsuoka et al [11] Also, in the case of any epileptic discharge on the EEG during a test of a patient who did not have any discharge on the standard EEG, the test was regarded as 'provocative' . Otherwise, the condition was regarded as 'inhibitory' if any discharge was not found on the EEG during the NPA battery of a patient who had discharges on the standard EEG.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] The relation between spontaneous epileptiform activity and cognitive functions has been studied with an increasing interest since present. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Seizures induced by higher mental activities have encouraged studies which were designed with special EEG activation methods to show any effect of mental tasks on the EEG of epileptic patients. [11][12][13][14] Matsuoka et al [11] used a neuropsychological method testing for various mental activities as a part of routine EEG examination for patients with epilepsy.…”

“…The battery test lasted approximately 35 minutes. Our neuropsychological test protocol was founded on those reported by Matsuoka et al [11] The NPA protocol included: (1) We evaluated the patients in two groups, first group (Group 1) included the patients who showed epileptiform discharges on their standard EEGs and the second group (Group 2) had no such findings. Half of the patients (50.0%) belonged to group 1, and the other half belonged to group 2.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] It has been also demonstrated that spesific or nonspecific complex cognitive activities such as calculations, constructive activities, drawing, playing strategic board games are able to precipitate seizures. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] In the treatment of JME not only antiepileptic drug therapy but also identification and regulation of seizure precipitant factors are important.…”