Functional seizures: Are they consistent over time?

BACKGROUND

Our previous study showed that functional seizures (FS) are consistent in the same patient during a single video EEG monitoring (VEEG). This study aimed to check whether FS remains consistent across VEEG sessions even after several years.

METHODS

The study evaluated the consistency of FS across different VEEG sessions using five criteria: FS type, the main anatomical region involved (specifically, the body part most affected during the seizure), other involved anatomical regions, frequency of movements, and duration of FS. Consistency levels were categorized as low (one consistent axis), moderate (two consistent axes), and high (three or more consistent axes).

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were included in the final analysis. The mean time between monitoring was 3.8 ± 2.5 years (0.5-8 year). In 13 of 14 patients, the first and second monitoring events were classified into the same FS category. There was consistency in the main anatomical region involved in 9 out of 12 patients with motor FS. In 9 out of 12 patients with motor FS, the other anatomical regions involved were consistent in both sessions. The mean duration of the FS between sessions was inconsistent in most of the patients. Ten patients were classified with high consistency, one patient with moderate consistency, two patients with low consistency, and in one patient, the events were classified as inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that FS tends to remain consistent in a single patient even after several years, and there is probably no correlation between the degree of consistency and the time between VEEG sessions. These findings have implications for supporting the concept of FS as a consistent phenomenon. Additionally, they may suggest potential avenues for future research to elucidate the origins of FS. Subsequent studies are essential to validate and expand upon these preliminary observations.