[The startle response and epilepsy].
Startle responses (SR) are described as epileptic and non-epileptic attacks and their mechanisms are poorly understood. Long-loop reflexes and a satisfactory response to L-tryptophan treatment have only seldom been published in this condition. This prompted us to report a case with epilepsy and startle-induced tonic spasms, the latter refractory to all conventional medication except for L-tryptophan. Special emphasis is placed on the electrophysiological findings. Similar observations of non-habituation of SR in post-anoxic brain damage and in the case of startle epilepsy possibly suggest a deficit of cortical inhibition, probably in the supplementary motor area, rather than brain stem dysfunction in both instances.
Graf
M
M
Neurologische Abteilung, Wilhelminenspital der Stadt Wien.
Grisold
W
W
Jelinek
V
V
Wimmer
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects
D000927:Anticonvulsants
Startle Response und Epilepsie.