ABSTRACT

In this study, we aimed to show any effect of different types of cognitive activities on the electroencephalography (EEG) of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).

30 patients with JME who stated that their seizures are not effected by any mental activity were submitted to a 30-minute standard awake video EEG. A neuropsychological activation battery (NPA) was performed during the ongoing video EEG.

The provocative effect of at least one test of NPA was observed in seven of 30 patients (23.3%) and the inhibitory effect of NPA was observed in nine of 30 patients (30.0%).

We demonstrated that increased attention, concentration, and the tests associated generally with the frontal lobe functions were crucial for provocating the EEG discharges. This may support the studies with neuropsychological tests and structural neuroimaging techniques showing focal cortical abnormalities mainly associated with frontal lobe in JME.

Keywords: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, neuropsychological EEG activation