The Effect of Mental Activity on the Incidence of Seizures and the Electroencephalographic Pattern in some Epileptics

Abstract

This paper presents four case histories of children suffering from petit mal attacks. It shows the inhibiting influence of mental activity upon the incidence of these epileptic attacks and the corresponding changes in the brain-wave pattern caused by mental activity. Electroencephalographic records were taken of all 4 patients. Two frontal, 2 central, 2 occipital and 1 vertex electrode placement were used. The patients were found to have a large amt. of [delta] activity in the occipital region. This [delta] activity was largely replaced by a activity when the patient was given mental arithmetic problems to perform or if his attention was kept focussed in some other manner. In some cases, the % of [delta] activity was also reduced by the intravenous injn. of 10 mg. of amphetamine sulfate. The conclusion is drawn that "the beneficient effect of mental activity can be used as a therapeutic aid in these cases.".