Stimulus-sensitive seizures in postanoxic coma

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2026

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
09:29

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Published on: June 11, 2020

A C Van Cott1, I Blatt, R P Brenner

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.

Epilepsia
|September 1, 1996
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Severe hypoxic-ischemic injury can lead to stimulus-sensitive seizures and myoclonus. This condition, characterized by epileptiform discharges on EEG, is associated with a poor prognosis and resistance to antiepileptic drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Severe hypoxic-ischemic injury is a critical neurological event.
  • Myoclonus and seizures are potential sequelae of such injuries.
  • Stimulus-sensitive epilepsy presents unique diagnostic and management challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe four adult patients presenting with stimulus-sensitive seizures and myoclonus following hypoxic-ischemic injury.
  • To characterize the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings in these patients.
  • To evaluate the association between these neurological manifestations and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of EEG and hospital records for four adult patients over 22 months.
  • Identification of patients with myoclonus and generalized tonic-clonic/clonic seizures triggered by tactile stimulation.
  • Analysis of EEG patterns, including epileptiform discharges and cerebral activity between seizures.

Main Results:

  • Patients exhibited myoclonus and seizures triggered by tactile stimulation.
  • EEG revealed generalized spike and polyspike bursts correlating with seizures, with periods of suppression between bursts.
  • All patients were refractory to antiepileptic drug treatment and ultimately deceased.

Conclusions:

  • Stimulus-sensitive seizures and myoclonus following anoxia are indicative of a severe neurological state.
  • The findings confirm that post-anoxic myoclonus, when accompanied by epileptiform discharges, represents an epileptic condition.
  • The study highlights the poor prognosis associated with this post-anoxic neurological sequela.

More Related Videos

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats08:47

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats

Published on: November 8, 2018

Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo10:19

Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo

Published on: March 31, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Seizures ll: Types01:19

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...
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:
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...