Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
09:57

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization

Published on: September 20, 2024

3.0K

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in children

Rajkumar Agarwal1, Latisha Gathers-Hutchins2, Hara Stephanou3

  • 1Division of Neurology, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, Ohio, USA; Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA.

Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care
|August 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in children mimic epilepsy but stem from bio-psychosocial factors. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care are crucial for effective management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Child Psychology
  • Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

  • Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are common in children, often misdiagnosed as epilepsy.
  • Misdiagnosis leads to delayed treatment and unnecessary anti-epileptic drug use.
  • Understanding the bio-psychosocial underpinnings is key to accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation and diagnosis of PNES in children.
  • To explore the psychological basis of PNES.
  • To discuss effective treatment strategies for pediatric PNES.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on pediatric PNES.
  • Analysis of clinical symptomatology and diagnostic challenges.
  • Examination of psychosocial factors and treatment modalities.

Main Results:

  • PNES presentation can closely mimic epileptic seizures, complicating diagnosis.
  • A bio-psychosocial model is essential for understanding PNES etiology.
  • Multidisciplinary approaches involving neurology and mental health professionals improve outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis of PNES in children requires a thorough understanding of its diverse presentation.
  • Integrated care models combining neurological and psychological support are vital.
  • Timely diagnosis and appropriate management can significantly improve quality of life for affected children.

More Related Videos

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

20.6K
A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy06:58

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: July 12, 2021

5.2K

Related Concept Videos

Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
795
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
475
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
202
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
44
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

Antiepileptic drugs are specialized medications that prevent seizures in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. These drugs primarily function by blocking the movement of sodium ions through channels in the neuronal membrane, inhibiting the repetitive firing of action potentials often associated with seizures.
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
1.1K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
607