The grand mal pattern of Gibbs, Gibbs and Lennox

The "grand mal" pattern of Gibbs, Gibbs and Lennox was observed in records of 14 patients during the past 3 years. It occurs most commonly in those epileptic patients who suffer from primary generalized seizures of more than one seizure type and in whom akinetic attacks are the main clinical problem. In addition, there is usually some degree of intellectual limitations. The EEG features and clinical accompaniments of the discharge were described and since the term "grand mal" discharge is not appropriate, it is suggested that it be replaced by either "generalized repetitive fast discharge", as had been suggested in the European literature, or "beta band seizure pattern".