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Updated: May 27, 2026

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
Published on: July 8, 2025
Pseudopseudoseizures: conditions that may mimic psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
Jason P Caplan1, Tracy Binius, Vanda A Lennon
1Department of Psychiatry, Creighton University School of Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. jason.caplan@chw.edu
Background:
Video electroencephalography (vEEG) has proven to be a valuable tool in the differentiation of pseudoseizures or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) from epileptic seizures. Clinicians should, however, be aware of a number of conditions that may be misdiagnosed as pseudoseizures.
Objective:
To review a number of somatic conditions that can present with disturbances of consciousness and unusual motor activity without epileptiform findings on vEEG.
Method:
We report a case of a young woman who presented with a number of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including episodic posturing and rhythmic movements. The absence of epileptiform findings on vEEG resulted in a diagnosis of conversion disorder with pseudoseizures. She was ultimately diagnosed with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) secondary to an ovarian tumor. AIE and other potential mimics of pseudoseizures are discussed.
Results:
A number of somatic conditions can present with symptoms that may be misinterpreted as pseudoseizure.
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