Photoconvulsive Response and Disposition

A total of 21 siblings of 17 cases (16 epileptics and one patient with atypical psychosis), in which generalized paroxysmal discharges were provoked either by red-flicker or flickering-pattern and/or pattern, was examined by giving the same stimuli. Similar generalized paroxysmal discharges were provoked in five siblings (23.8%). Of these, two pairs of siblings were identical twins. As a control group, the same EEG activation was carried out in 37 normal healthy 11–year-old children (18 males and 19 females); there were no activation effects. The difference between the two groups was highly significant (p<0.005). From this study, it was stressed that possible functional vulnerability in the centren-cephalon due to disposition might play an important role in the appearance of the GPD's provoked by the visual stimuli as described above. A discussion was also given about the exogenic factor influencing this mechanism.