The phenomenology of multiple partial seizure-like symptoms without stereotyped spells: an epilepsy spectrum disorder?

Dissociation, Epileptiform Discharges and Chaos in the Brain: Toward a Neuroscientific Theory of Dissociation

“…Modern findings support the view that these symptoms have, similarly as dissociation (Bernstein & Putnam, 1986), in the general population a continuous character (Roberts, Varney, & Paulsen, 1990;Roberts et al, 1992). This continuum of complex partial seizure-like symptoms begins in a healthy state without the symptoms via transitional pathological states until the symptoms of complex partial epilepsy with all typical manifestations.…”

“…These symptoms represent intrusions into the normal state of consciousness in the form of cognitive, psychosenzory or affective symptoms (Roberts, 1993;Neppe, 1983;Roberts, Varney, & Paulsen, 1990;Silberman et al, 1985;Hines et al, 1995). Many of these symptoms were already defined by Hughlings Jackson in his classical studies (Roberts, Varney, & Paulsen, 1990;Dreifuss, 1981;Roberts et al, 1992).…”

“…These pathological conditions were later re-defined by Janet as a consequence of dissociative mechanism which can leads to psychopathological as well as somatoform symptoms. Epileptic discharges as well are able to produce a wide range of psychopathological symptoms such as depression, psychosis, anxiety and other (Mace, 1993;Roberts et al, 1992) as well as a wide spectrum of somatic manifestations mainly due to autonomic symptoms of epileptic seizures (Baumgartner, Lurger, Leutmezer, 2001). Autonomic symptoms accompany other seizure symptoms or may occur as sole or predominant seizure manifestation due to an activation of the central autonomic network.…”

“…Between these opposites occurs a broad spectrum of different clinical dysfunctions with good response to anticonvulsant drugs. It concerns most often affective diseases or atypical psychoses with characteristic manifestations of temporal lobe epilepsy called as Epilepsy Spectrum Disorders (Roberts et al, 1992;Hines et al, 1995;Jampala, Atre-Vaidya, & Taylor, 1992). According to some findings (Roberts 1993) these symptoms are in close relationship to increased sensitivity on parental influence and dissociative tendency due to traumatic or aversive events most often in connection to child abuse.…”

Standardized Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (s_LORETA) is a Sensitive Indicator of Protracted Neuropsychological Impairments Following “Mild” (Concussive) Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Roberts and his colleagues [7,8] were among the first to identify that serial concussive injuries from proximal explosions during military operations resulted in long term disabilities associated with neuropsychological impairments and the emergence of a syndrome that was similar to complex partial epilepsy, but without the display of overt electrical seizures or convulsions. This "Epileptic Spectrum Disorder" was associated with abnormal elevations on multiple psychometric scales by which psychologists infer psychopathology.…”