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Comparison of auras and triggering factors in epilepsy

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Abstract

Case reports of five patients are presented, each with a specific aura at the onset of the seizures. All of these patients’ had seizures during the waking state. Their auras were carefully replicated and presented to the patients under various conditions. The presentation of the auras evoked neither clinical nor EEG evidence of seizures. A sixth patient had seizures only when asleep which were preceded by vivid nightmares. Since the seizures occurred only when the patient was asleep, we considered that the seizures could be reflex in nature and evoked by a dream. Replication of the dream, however, did not evoke clinical or EEG evidence of epilepsy. The dreams, therefore, were auras or a part of the seizure complex.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epilepsy Center, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin

    Francis M. Forster

  2. Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

    Francis M. Forster

Authors
  1. Francis M. Forster
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Supported by the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Administration.

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Forster, F.M. Comparison of auras and triggering factors in epilepsy. Pay. J. Biol. Sci. 13, 206–210 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03002255

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