Pattern reversal VEP in epilepsy (a prognostical tool?)

72 adult outpatients treated for epilepsy were examined by pattern reversal VEP method. 36 had generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 23 partial epilepsy with secondary tonic-clonic seizures and 13 had partial epilepsy with simple seizures. The patients were divided into three groups according to medical successfulness. The frequency of epileptic seizures per year was the criterion for dividing the group. Statistically significant relation was recorded in the occurrence of abnormal VEP findings to the frequency of epileptic seizures. Increased number of abnormal VEP findings occurred in the group of patients with greater frequency of epileptic seizures. The possible cause of the VEP abnormality in patients with frequent epileptic seizures is discussed.