Uncontrollable cases of absence

Forty-three cases of absence seizure were studied from the viewpoint of prognosis. thirty-three had been seizure-free for at least one year until the time of follow-up. The remaining 10 cases were uncontrollable and their plasma levels of the drugs were measured. The following characteristics were more significantly found in the uncontrollable group: (1) late onset (14 years old or later) (2) preceding grand mal seizures (3) accompanying automatisms. The above three factors were found to be interrelated. (4) concomitant grand mal seizures of sleep or diffuse (other than awakening) type (5) psychological disturbances (low intelligence, circuitous character) and (6) chronological shift to the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.