title: Differentiating frontal lobe epilepsy from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.
abstract: Patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) remain one of the most challenging patient populations. The misdiagnosis of PNES is costly to patients, the health care system, and to society. The first step in treatment is proper diagnosis. Video electroencephalography remains the gold standard for PNES diagnosis. Differentiating frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) from PNES can be difficult; however, clinical findings and laboratory advances are emerging that more clearly establish the diagnosis of PNES. This article provides clues to differentiating FLE from PNES so that neurologists and mental health providers are better equipped to offer treatments for PNES.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Potter 3, Providence, RI 02903, USA. william_lafrance_Jr@brown.edu
authors.forename: W Curt
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: LaFrance
authors.forename: Selim R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Benbadis
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D017034:Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants