Electroencephalographic changes in epileptics while viewing television.

Ten consecutive epileptic patients who showed abnormal electroencephalographic (E.E.G.) responses to intermittent photic stimulation have been studied while watching television. Though only two gave a history of television epilepsy nine exhibited spike-wave discharges in the E.E.G. during viewing. This effect occurred when the set was functioning normally but was increased in five subjects when the screen was deliberately caused to flicker.