Abstracts

Rationale: It is known that red flickering lights is one of the most provocative factors in photosensitive Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) patients and Photosensitive Occipital patients. However, nothing is known about the color sensitivity in patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME). Methods: We investigated a 15 year old female patient suffering from Lafora PME. Under simultaneous video-EEG monitoring, we first determined her photosensitivity range with eyes open and closed according to the international protocol1. Then, knowing her range, we applied different colors at 8 and 20 Hz using multiple colored lenses and filters2, 3. Additionally we stimulated with black and white horizontal and vertical striped patterns. Results: In this case, diffuse epileptiform discharges with concomitant myoclonus occur more often with eyes open than eyes closed. Moreover, green and orange flickering lights are more provocative than red light. In addition she reacted strongly to vertical striped patterns. Greater detail is provided in Tables 1 and 2.Conclusions: Photosensitivity in Lafora PME may not be really comparable to that in “ordinary” photosensitive patients. 1. Trenite DG, et Al. Medical technology assessment photic stimulation--standardization of screening methods. Neurophysiol Clin. 1999 Sep;29(4):318-24. 2. Capovilla G, et Al. Suppressive efficacy by a commercially available blue lens on PPR in 610 photosensitive epilepsy patients. Epilepsia. 2006 Mar;47(3):529-33. 3.Wilkins AJ, et Al. Treatment of photosensitive epilepsy using coloured glasses. Seizure. 1999 Dec;8(8):444-9. This work was supported by a Marie Curie Grant on Visual Sensitivity (MEXC-CT-2005-024224)