Cortical excitability and recovery curve analysis in generalized epilepsy

Amy Brodtmann, R. A.L. Macdonell, A. K. Gilligan, J. Curatolo, S. F. Berkovic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Seven untreated patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy were studied with recovery curve analysis using transcranial magnetic stimulation and compared with 16 controls. Patients had a shorter period of inhibition of the test response following a conditioning stimulus and demonstrated a period of increased facilitation of the test response at interstimulus intervals of 200 to 300 msec, which was similar to the mean interdischarge interval of spike-wave activity on EEG. This provides further evidence of cortical hyperexcitability in idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1347-1349
Number of pages3
JournalNeurology
Volume53
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Oct 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cortical excitability
  • Idiopathic generalized epilepsy
  • Recovery curve analysis

Cite this