title: Epilepsy provoked by television and video games: safety of 100-Hz screens.
abstract: Television (TV) and video games (VG) can provoke seizures in patients with photosensitive epilepsies. Flicker frequency is the most important factor in screen activation. We tested conventional 50-Hz versus 100-Hz monitors during TV viewing and VG playing in 30 photosensitive subjects, 23 of whom had a history of TV or VG seizures or both. Fifteen subjects' discharges were activated by 50-Hz TV; 17 by 50-Hz VG; and one by a 100-Hz screen. Thus, 100-Hz screens protect against screen activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vigevano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013690:Television / Q000295:instrumentation; D018910:Video Games / Q000009:adverse effects*