Psychogenic non epileptic seizures : towards an integration of psychogenic, cognitive and neurobiological aspects

Abstract

Psychogenic Non Epileptic Seizures (PNES) are defined as paroxysmal

involuntary behavioral patterns that mimic epileptic events –covering

the full range of hypo-motor events to hyper-motor manifestations– but that lack ictal epileptiform activity in the brain. PNES cannot be fully explained by any known neurological or other somatic diseases and are thought to be mediated by psychological factors (WHO, 1993; APA, 1994). PNES are characterized by a sudden and time-limited alteration of consciousness and are associated with a disturbance in controlling cognitive, behavioral and/or emotional functions (Kuyk et al., 1999)