title: Video games are exciting: a European study of video game-induced seizures and epilepsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Video game seizures have been reported in photosensitive and non-photosensitive patients with epilepsy. The game Super Mario World, has led to many cases of first seizures. We examined whether this game was indeed more provocative than other programs and whether playing the game added to this effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively investigated 352 patients in four European cities, using a standard protocol including testing of a variety of visual stimuli. We correlated historical data on provocative factors in daily life with electroencephalographic laboratory findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The video game, Super Mario World proved more epileptogenic than standard TV programs and as provocative as programs with flashing lights and patterns. Most striking was the fact that video game-viewing and-playing on the 50 and 100 Hz TV was significantly more provocative than viewing the standard program (P < 0.001, P < 0.05 respectively). Playing the video game Mario World on a 50 Hz TV, appeared to be significantly more provocative than playing this game on the 100 Hz TV (P < 0.001). Of 163 patients with a history of TV-, VG- or CG-seizures, 85% of them showed epileptiform discharges in response to photic stimulation, 44% to patterns, 59% to 50 Hz TV and 29% to 100 Hz TV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children and adolescents with a history of video game seizures are, in the vast majority, photosensitive and should be investigated with standardised photic stimulation. Games and programs with bright background or flashing images are specifically provocative. Playing a video game on a 100 Hz TV is less provocative [published with videosequences].
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Centre Alkmaar, PO Box 501, 1800 AM, The Netherlands. dkasteleijn@planet.nl
authors.forename: D G A
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martins da Silva
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rubboli
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tassinari
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bettencourt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oosting
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Segers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D018910:Video Games / Q000009:adverse effects*