Monitoring: PNEA Seizure Detection

To gain more clarity on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNEA), we will soon begin a study investigating the physiological and psychological aspects before, during, and after a PNEA seizure: Connecting the body and the brain: Measuring peri-ictal changes in physiological and psychological aspects of PNES. A pilot study.

PNEA are seizures characterized by changes in consciousness, movements, and/or behavior that resemble epileptic seizures but do not involve the electrical discharges in the brain typical of epilepsy. As a result, epilepsy medication is ineffective. The complex interplay of underlying psychological factors leads to these seizures. Previous research has shown that the seizures are accompanied by physiological changes as expressions of emotions, which cause changes in the autonomic nervous system (alterations in the sympathetic and parasympathetic balance). This study is set up to further investigate the changes occurring shortly before and during a seizure.

The psychological data will be collected via a mobile phone app, which randomly asks patients about their psychological state, such as mood, emotions, behavior, cognition, using the experience sampling method. Physiological parameters will be gathered using a patch with sensors that track heart rate, breathing, and movement. These data will be correlated with a seizure based on movement data and/or the patient's report. The goal is to eventually predict and, if possible, prevent seizures using these physiological and psychological parameters.