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Acute provoked reflex seizures induced by thinking
Naomi Nevler1, Revital Gandelman-Marton
1Department of Neurology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. dr.naominevler@gmail.com
The Neurologist
|November 2, 2012
Summary
Thinking-induced epilepsy, a rare reflex epilepsy, can manifest as complex partial seizures. This case shows acute brain insults can provoke these seizures, even in partial forms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Reflex epilepsy is characterized by seizures triggered by specific stimuli.
- Thinking epilepsy is a rare subtype, typically associated with idiopathic generalized epilepsies.
- Cognitive tasks can induce seizures in susceptible individuals.
Observation:
- A young man experienced complex partial seizures.
- Seizures were triggered by thinking.
- The patient had a history of acute bacterial meningitis and a remote head injury.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates that thinking-induced reflex seizures can present as partial seizures.
- An acute brain insult, such as meningitis, can provoke reflex seizures.
- The occurrence in a patient without typical idiopathic generalized epilepsy broadens the understanding of this epilepsy type.
Implications:
- This case expands the clinical spectrum of thinking-induced epilepsy.
- It highlights the potential for acute neurological events to trigger reflex seizures.
- Further research may explore the mechanisms underlying reflex seizures in acquired brain injury settings.
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