Migraine with visual aura and photosensitive epileptic seizures

Epilepsia. 1997 Sep;38(9):1032-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1997.tb01487.x.

Abstract

A relationship between epilepsy and migraine has long been postulated, but the nature of this interaction is still debated. We observed this association in a 23-year old man with a history of migraine with visual aura who had seizures at age 15 years while watching television. Waking EEG was normal, but sleep recordings demonstrated posterior spike-waves during sleep. During intermittent photic stimulation (IPS), a photoparoxysmal response occurred, maximum in occipital areas. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scan was normal. Seizures did not recur after 4-year treatment with valproate. He is currently seizure-free, but continues to have rare migraine with visual aura. The role of spreading depression or of a putative dopaminergic failure in occipital cortex is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Comorbidity
  • Cortical Spreading Depression / physiology
  • Dopamine / physiology
  • Electroencephalography / statistics & numerical data
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnosis
  • Migraine Disorders / epidemiology
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Occipital Lobe / physiopathology
  • Photic Stimulation*
  • Scotoma / diagnosis
  • Scotoma / epidemiology
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Valproic Acid
  • Dopamine