On the midway to epilepsy: is cortical excitability normal in patients with isolated seizures?
Paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to investigate differences in cortical excitability between patients with isolated (unrecurrent, unprovoked) seizures and those with epilepsy. Compared to controls, cortical excitability was higher in the isolated seizure group at 250-300 ms. Compared to epilepsy, cortical excitability was lower in patients with isolated seizures also at 250 and 300 ms. Lowered seizure threshold caused by disturbances within inhibitory circuits is present in patients who experience a seizure even if no further seizures occur.
Departments of Medicine and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia , Department of Clinical Neurosciences, St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Parade Fitzroy, Victory 3065, Australia.
Radwa A B
RA
Badawy
Simon J
SJ
Vogrin
Alan
A
Lai
Mark J
MJ
Cook
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult