Six and 14/sec positive spikes with widespread distribution over the scalp as a seizure pattern

Five patients with either "diencephalic" or "brainstem" epilepsy or "diencephalosis" were examined EEGcally during the course of their hospitalization. The significant changes were detected, mainly by diphenhydramine activation as to the distribution of the 6-14/sec positive spike pattern on the scalp. When the patients were relatively free from their symptoms, the positive spikes were recorded partially on only one or very fre areas, and when they were experiencing clinical paroxysms, the spikes were detected diffusely in almost all areas of the scalp. Chronological EEG observations paralleling the clinical course of illness of a paroxysmal nature are unpopular. However, the necessity of efforts to record EEG's of patients during clinical paroxysms seems important and has been briefly discussed concerning the question as to whether the 6-14/sec positive spike pattern is an abnormal EEG change or perhaps a "seizure pattern".