Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Albert, Dara VF

Titel

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures in Children and Adolescents

Ist Teil von

• Seminars in pediatric neurology, 2022-04, Vol.41, p.100949-100949, Article 100949

Ort / Verlag

United States: Elsevier Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a common condition seen in children and adolescents. The diagnosis is clinical, based on a description of events, and can be supported using video electroencephalography recording. Children and adolescents with PNES often have comorbid psychiatric conditions and psychosocial stressors, although this is not a requisite for diagnosis. The pathophysiology is not fully understood but may be related to emotional processing and underlying aberrant functional connectivity. Communication of the diagnosis to patients and families in a compassionate way that leads to understanding is of paramount importance and the key first step to treatment. Psychotherapy that utilizes principles of cognitive behavioral therapy is the current standard for therapy. Symptoms can improve and many with PNES do experience remission of events with treatment, although not all. There is still much to be elucidated regarding underlying mechanisms and best treatments to help patients with this condition. In this article I review current knowledge about PNES in children and adolescents as well as share practical advice gleaned from clinical experience at Nationwide Children's Hospital's PNES Clinic.