Pseudocataplexy: gelastic-atonic seizures.
Gelastic-atonic seizures are characterized by laughing and then loss of muscle tone. They are difficult to differentiate from laughter-induced cataplexy and may be indicative of Niemann-Pick disease Type C or variants. We studied an 11-year-old girl who had gelastic-atonic seizures that were triggered by laughing. The nature of her attacks was established by ictal EEG ambulatory recordings at home. There was no evidence of Niemann-Pick disease.
D002385:Cataplexy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007845:Laughter; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology