PURPOSE To assess the psychiatric diagnoses and outcome in children with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). METHODOLOGY This hospital based observational study was performed on 44 children aged <16 years, who suspected to have psychogenic non-epileptic seizures based on video-EEG, from August 2005 to August 2012. The parameters noted were the psychiatric diagnosis, co-morbidities, man...

One of the postulated factors responsible for psychogenic epileptic seizures is somatisation. The purpose of this study was to analyse differences in the levels of somatisation manifested in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) somatisation scales. Subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of a neurological examination and long-term video-monitoring. Group One (N=66...

PURPOSE The diagnostic classification of disorders of consciousness is often challenging, particularly the distinction between epileptic and non-epileptic seizures. The aim of the study was to examine serum lactate as a diagnostic marker of transient loss of consciousness. METHOD Serum lactate levels in blood samples drawn within 2h of the event were compared retrospectively between patients ...

Misdiagnosis of seizures and epilepsy is rampant. There are several paroxysmal non-epileptic events (NEE) – like syncope, non-epileptic attacks (earlier called psychogenic or pseudo-seizures), paroxysmal movement disorders, migraine equivalents, parasomnias, nonepileptic staring – which can mimic seizures and confuse even the experienced observer [1,2]. In a prospective study of first ‘seizures...

PURPOSE Whilst ictal injuries in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) have been reported previously, very few studies have described the spectrum of ictal injuries in these patients. In the current study, we tried to determine the spectrum of reported ictal injuries associated with PNES and to investigate the possible associated risk factors. METHODS All patients with PNES were recruited...

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) represent a relatively frequent challenge for clinicians. While they resemble epileptic seizures, they are not the consequence of paroxysmal electrical discharges in the brain, but are related to psychological triggers in vulnerable subjects. Gold standard of PNES diagnosis remains the recording of a typical event under video-EEG. PNES recognition is no...