Clinical response to methylphenidate in a patient with self-induced photosensitive epilepsy.

Daniel Martín Fernández-Mayoralas, Alberto Fernández-Jaén, Anne Gómez-Caicoya, Nuria Muñoz Jareño, Rafael Arroyo-González

Department of Neuropediatrics, Hospital Universitario Quirón, Madrid, Spain. dmfmayor@yahoo.es

Journal of child neurology 2011 Jun

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The classification of epilepsy includes a group of generalized idiopathic epilepsies that are triggered by a specific mode of activation, known as reflex epilepsies. Photosensitive epilepsy is the most common type. Some patients with photosensitive epilepsy use this sensitivity to induce seizures or epileptiform discharges on the electroencephalogram. In some patients, psychopharmacological treatment, for instance with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and neuroleptics, has demonstrated benefit insofar as self-induction of seizures is concerned. However, so far as we know, there are no documented cases of treatment with methylphenidate in patients with this type of seizure. Our purpose is to report the case of an 8-year-old girl with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and self-induced photosensitive epilepsy whose behavior in general, and self-inducing behavior in particular, improved dramatically following treatment with methylphenidate.

Citation

Daniel Martín Fernández-Mayoralas, Alberto Fernández-Jaén, Anne Gómez-Caicoya, Nuria Muñoz Jareño, Rafael Arroyo-González. Clinical response to methylphenidate in a patient with self-induced photosensitive epilepsy. Journal of child neurology. 2011 Jun;26(6):770-2