[Clinico-electrophysiologic analysis of a case of spike-wave stupor (absence state)]

The authors describe the clinical picture of a case with a peak-wave stupor in a 16 year-old patient where the main clinical expression of this disorder was behavioural sleepiness. Polygraphical studies during the attacks detected an expressed permanent paroxysmal activity in the form of bilateral synchronous complexes of spike-waves. In a behavioural and EEG sleepiness there was a smaller frequency of the paroxysmal activity and changes of its form with a drop in the expressiveness of the peak components. Administration of seduxen solution also partially blockaded the paroxysmal activity. The authors discuss some differential diagnostical signs of this condition and some mechanisms in the formation of paroxysmal activity with dependence in its development of different phases of the daily cycle of wakefullness and sleep.