Conditioned EEG desynchronization and seizure occurrence in patients

Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1976 Nov;41(5):501-12. doi: 10.1016/0013-4694(76)90062-6.

Abstract

Five patients with seizures poorly controlled by standard anticonvulsant medication, underwent EEG operant conditioning. The operant paradigm reinforced the production of low voltage fast activity while decreasing frequencies below 10 c/sec. Seizure frequency decreased in 2 patients, seizure severity was attenuated in 2 others, and one patient who was only given reinforecement for scalp EMG suppression whowed no change in seizure parameters. Pseudoconditioning and control periods ruled out placebo effects. A rationale for this phenomenon is proposed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Conditioning, Operant / physiology*
  • Cortical Synchronization*
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy / therapy*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male