title: Reflex epilepsy.
abstract: We report 3 cases of reflex epilepsy, 2 of them triggered by reading (reading epilepsy) and one by mathematical calculation (epilepsy arithmetics). Electroencephalographic abnormalities predominated in the dominant hemisphere. The pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in this rare form of epilepsy are commented on, particularly the role played by the association of mental concentration and emotional strain. A possible deficiency in GABA-ergic inhibitory synapses would cause a deficit in cortical inhibition. Different drugs have been used successfully in patients with reflex epilepsy. Psychotherapy relieves anxiety and has been shown to be an effective complement to medical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Creu Roja, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Espadaler Medina
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Espadaler Gamissans
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Seoane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000503:physiopathology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000503:physiopathology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000503:physiopathology; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D011932:Reading; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology