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Nonepileptic seizures after head injury
L E Westbrook1, O Devinsky, R Geocadin
1Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.
Epilepsia
|September 17, 1998
Summary
Head injury is a significant risk factor for developing nonepileptic seizures (NES), with over a third of patients reporting a history of head trauma. This suggests head injury may be as crucial as abuse in NES development.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Nonepileptic seizures (NES) are often challenging to diagnose and manage.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between head injury and the development of nonepileptic seizures (NES).
- To determine the prevalence of head injury in NES patients and describe their clinical characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 102 patients diagnosed with NES over a 4-year period.
- Evaluation included video electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, provocation, and psychiatric interviews.
- Specific focus on patients with a documented history of head injury.
Main Results:
- 32% of NES patients had a history of head injury.
- The majority of head injuries were minor (91%), yet associated with poor long-term outcomes.
- Co-occurring psychiatric disorders (79%) and history of abuse (35%) were common.
Conclusions:
- Prior head injury is linked to the development of NES, potentially contributing to its pathogenesis.
- Head injury and history of abuse appear to be comparable risk factors in NES patients.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of head injury in NES etiology.