Testing for Electroencephalographic Activation with Video Games in Patients with Light Sensitivity

.Forty consecutive patients who manifested photoparoxysmal responses during the standard electroencephalogram (EEG) were studied prospectively with a standard protocol which involved playing video games, viewing patterns, and watching television. Twelve patients (30%) demonstrated EEG activation while playing video games, five while viewing television, six while viewing patterns, and two while viewing either television or patterns. Two additional patients showed no EEG photosensitivity but had a clinical history of seizures precipitated by video games. The results indicate that patients with paroxysmal EEG responses to stroboscopic light stimulation have a significant risk of activating epileptiform abnormalities by playing video games. However, not all patients with a history of seizures precipitated by video games show EEG light sensitivity in a single testing session.