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Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures mimicking gelastic seizures: A description of two cases.

ABSTRACT: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are sudden, involuntary seizure-like attacks that, unlike epileptic seizures, are not related to electrographic ictal discharges and are psychological in nature. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures presenting symptoms mimic a wide array of nervous system dysfunctions, as they involve changes in behavior, motor activity, sensation, cognitive, and autonomic functions. Spontaneous paroxysms of laughing resembling gelastic seizure have only exceptionally been reported as main symptom of PNES. Here, we describe the cases of two patients with a prolonged history of laughter attacks mistaken for epilepsy and unresponsive to AED treatment. Brain MRI and interictal EEG were unremarkable. Video-EEG monitoring allowed us to document the spontaneous and suggestion-induced habitual episodes that were then diagnosed as PNES.

SUBMITTER: Mascia A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4543217 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures mimicking gelastic seizures: A description of two cases.

Mascia Addolorata A Quarato Pier Paolo PP D'Aniello Alfredo A Di Gennaro Giancarlo G

Epilepsy & behavior case reports 20150815

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are sudden, involuntary seizure-like attacks that, unlike epileptic seizures, are not related to electrographic ictal discharges and are psychological in nature. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures presenting symptoms mimic a wide array of nervous system dysfunctions, as they involve changes in behavior, motor activity, sensation, cognitive, and autonomic functions. Spontaneous paroxysms of laughing resembling gelastic seizure have only exceptionally been r ...[more]

PMID: 27195218

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Pilot pharmacologic randomized controlled trial for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

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| S-EPMC3013487 | biostudies-literature

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: a pilot RCT.

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| S-EPMC5572831 | biostudies-literature

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| S-EPMC6526032 | biostudies-literature

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| S-EPMC9552981 | biostudies-literature

Neurological disorder-associated genetic variants in individuals with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

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| S-EPMC7495430 | biostudies-literature

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Potential use of leukocytosis and anion gap elevation in differentiating psychogenic nonepileptic seizures from epileptic seizures.

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| S-EPMC6398111 | biostudies-literature

The Personality Assessment Inventory as a tool for diagnosing psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

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| S-EPMC2844915 | biostudies-other

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