Epilepsy provoked by television and video games: safety of 100-Hz screens.
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.
Ricci
S
S
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Vigevano
F
F
Manfredi
M
M
Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité
D G
DG
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*