Predicting psychogenic non-epileptic seizures from serum levels of neuropeptide Y and adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Objective: Patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) may present with convulsive events that are not accompanied by epileptiform brain activity. Video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring is the gold standard for diagnosis, yet not all patients experience convulsive episodes during video-EEG sessions. Hence, we aimed to construct a predictive model in order to detect PNES from serum hormone levels, detached from an evaluation of patients' convulsive episodes.

Vulnerability to psychogenic non-epileptic seizures is linked to low neuropeptide Y levels.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is a conversion disorder that reflects underlying psychological distress. Female patients with PNES often present with a history of prolonged stressors, especially sexual abuse. In the current study, we studied the relationship between neuropeptide Y (NPY) and PNES symptoms in women with a history of sexual abuse.

The NAB shape learning subtest as a predictor of lateralized seizure onset.

This study presents the first empirical evaluation of the predictive value of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Shape Learning (NAB-SL) subtest in a sample of patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy. Stimulus characteristics of the NAB-SL may improve predictive ability over other commonly used visual memory tests. Forty-nine patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy were compared on measures of non-verbal and verbal memory (NAB-SL and Wechsler Memory Scale-III subtests).

Motivation, psychopathology, locus of control, and quality of life in women with epileptic and nonepileptic seizures.

To examine factors that may potentially aid in the differential diagnosis and subsequent tailoring of treatment for patients with epileptic (ES) and psychogenic nonepileptic (PNES) seizures, thirty female patients with PNES and 51 female patients with temporal lobe epilepsy were assessed in the areas of motivation, psychopathology, health-related locus of control (HRLOC), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The two groups demonstrated equivalent levels of motivation, clinically elevated yet comparable mood symptoms, and no general differences in HRLOC. Despite similar mood disturbances in both groups, the participants with PNES had a later age of seizure onset, exhibited greater personality disturbances, attributed more control over their condition to nonphysicians, and endorsed a greater negative impact of their seizures on physical and emotional aspects of HRQOL.

A comprehensive neuropsychological profile of women with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

The purpose of this study was to compare the neuropsychological profile of women with VEEG-confirmed diagnoses of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) with that of an age- and education-matched group of women with left temporal lobe epilepsy (LTLE). Results indicate that in a relatively homogenous PNES sample, no severe neurocognitive impairments were present, further supporting a psychologically versus neurologically driven pathology of PNES. In comparison to age-stratified normative data, the PNES group demonstrated only a modest deficiency across neuropsychological domains and a relative area of weakness in attention and working memory, and generally outperformed their counterparts with LTLE.