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Fisher RS, Acharya JN, Baumer FM, French JA, Parisi P, Solodar JH, Szaflarski JP, Thio LL, Tolchin B, Wilkins AJ, Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité D. Visually sensitive seizures: An updated review by the Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsia 2022; 63:739-768. [PMID: 35132632 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Light flashes, patterns, or color changes can provoke seizures in up to 1 in 4000 persons. Prevalence may be higher because of selection bias. The Epilepsy Foundation reviewed light-induced seizures in 2005. Since then, images on social media, virtual reality, three-dimensional (3D) movies, and the Internet have proliferated. Hundreds of studies have explored the mechanisms and presentations of photosensitive seizures, justifying an updated review. This literature summary derives from a nonsystematic literature review via PubMed using the terms "photosensitive" and "epilepsy." The photoparoxysmal response (PPR) is an electroencephalography (EEG) phenomenon, and photosensitive seizures (PS) are seizures provoked by visual stimulation. Photosensitivity is more common in the young and in specific forms of generalized epilepsy. PS can coexist with spontaneous seizures. PS are hereditable and linked to recently identified genes. Brain imaging usually is normal, but special studies imaging white matter tracts demonstrate abnormal connectivity. Occipital cortex and connected regions are hyperexcitable in subjects with light-provoked seizures. Mechanisms remain unclear. Video games, social media clips, occasional movies, and natural stimuli can provoke PS. Virtual reality and 3D images so far appear benign unless they contain specific provocative content, for example, flashes. Images with flashes brighter than 20 candelas/m2 at 3-60 (particularly 15-20) Hz occupying at least 10 to 25% of the visual field are a risk, as are red color flashes or oscillating stripes. Equipment to assay for these characteristics is probably underutilized. Prevention of seizures includes avoiding provocative stimuli, covering one eye, wearing dark glasses, sitting at least two meters from screens, reducing contrast, and taking certain antiseizure drugs. Measurement of PPR suppression in a photosensitivity model can screen putative antiseizure drugs. Some countries regulate media to reduce risk. Visually-induced seizures remain significant public health hazards so they warrant ongoing scientific and regulatory efforts and public education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Fisher
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jayant N Acharya
- Department of Neurology, Penn State Health, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Fiona Mitchell Baumer
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jacqueline A French
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Epilepsy Foundation, New York, New York, USA
| | - Pasquale Parisi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica H Solodar
- American Medical Writers Association-New England Chapter, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- Department of Neurology, Neurobiology and Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Liu Lin Thio
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Benjamin Tolchin
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Niu Y, Gong P, Jiao X, Yang H, Yang Z. Temporal Onset Focal Seizures Induced by Intermittent Photic Stimulation. Front Neurol 2021; 12:715236. [PMID: 34526961 PMCID: PMC8435839 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.715236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to review the clinical, radiological, and pathological findings and electroencephalogram (EEG) of pediatric epilepsy patients with temporal onset focal seizures induced by intermittent photic stimulation (IPS). Four patients with temporal onset photosensitivity focal seizures were analyzed. Three (75%) of the four patients were female. The average age of seizure-onset was 4.4 years. The interictal EEG showed both generalized and focal spike and waves in one patient and focal or multifocal spike and waves alone in three patients. Photoparoxysmal response (PPR) was evoked in all patients and showed generalized discharges (patients 2–4), both generalized and posterior discharges (patient 1). Both generalized and focal discharges could coexist in interictal discharges and PPR. The sensitive frequencies of PPR and photoconvulsive response (PCR) were 12–30 and 10–16 Hz, respectively, which were close to the occipital rhythm. In all patients, the onset of PCR was recorded, namely, the left anterior and mesial temporal lobe (TL), the left posterior TL, and the whole left TL, which showed two forms: the seizure of two patients was the onset of slow waves in the temporal area without spreading generalized discharges (patients 1 and 4), and the other one was fast rhythmic activities in the temporal area, spreading to the occipital area or gradually evolving into the generalized discharges (patients 2 and 3). During follow-up, except for patient 3 who had occasional seizures, the seizures of the remaining patients were under control. Temporal onset focal seizures could be induced by IPS. Temporal onset photosensitivity seizures were mostly easy to control with antiseizure drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Niu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xianru Jiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haipo Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhixian Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
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Bratt NJ, Hampton CW. Intermittent photic stimulation triggering a temporal lobe seizure in a patient with schizencephaly and pachygyria. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2021; 15:100395. [PMID: 33458644 PMCID: PMC7797505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2020.100395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermittent photic stimulation can produce focal onset epileptic seizures, including temporal seizures. Schizencephaly can be the lesional source of a photosensitive focal onset epilepsy. Photosensitive temporal lobe epilepsies are rare but established in the scienfitic literature.
Photic stimulation is a common trigger for generalized epilepsies but may rarely incite focal seizures. Aside from documented cases of photosensitive occipital lobe epilepsies, few reported instances exist of focal epilepsies being triggered by intermittent photic stimulation. The case of a 12 year-old male with known schizencephaly, pachygyria, and right temporal lobe epilepsy triggered by photic stimulation is reported. To our knowledge, this is only the eighth reported case of photosensitive temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cliff W Hampton
- University of Washington, Dept of Neurology, 700 Ironwood Dr. #158, Coeur d Alene, ID 83814, United States
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Kasteleijn- Nolst Trenite D, Genton P, Brandt C, Reed RC. The ‘Photosensitivity Model’ is ( also) a model for focal (partial) seizures. Epilepsy Res 2017; 133:113-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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