title: Reflex epileptic mechanisms in ictogenesis and therapeutic consequences.
abstract: Recent studies of reflex epileptic mechanisms in human epilepsy using advanced methods of neurophysiology and functional neuroimaging have contributed much to elucidate pathophysiological processes of seizure generation. Whereas in lesional focal epilepsies reflex mechanisms usually relate directly to the anatomical focus, in system epilepsies they have helped to define which functional anatomical systems serving physiological function are recruited by the ictogenic mechanisms. Reflex epileptic seizures can often be prevented by avoidance or modification of triggers or by prophylactic benzodiazepine administration. Surgical options apply to focal cases. According to restricted experiences with pharmacotherapy, without controlled studies and little information on new AEDs, reflex seizures in system epilepsies appear to respond best to valproic acid and in focal epilepsies, to carbamazepine.
authors.affiliation: a Serviço de Neurologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica , Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) , Florianópolis , SC , Brazil.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: b Hospital São Paulo , Universidade Federal de São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Mirian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guaranha
authors.affiliation: a Serviço de Neurologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica , Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) , Florianópolis , SC , Brazil.|c Danish Epilepsy Centre , Dianalund , Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D004828:Epilepsies, Partial; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex; D006801:Humans; D012640:Seizures; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid
keywords: Reflex seizures; epilepsy treatment strategies; epileptic networks; ictogenesis; non-pharmacological epilepsy treatment; system epilepsies