Literature Monitor

To determine the unique characteristics of cluster seizures, investigators looked at 92 subjects, 83% of whom had at least one seizure cluster. They found that seizures occurring within a cluster were significantly shorter than the last seizure that occurred in the cluster. They also discovered that the terminal seizure in a cluster is similar to duration in isolated seizures that are not part of a cluster. Finally, the researchers found that cluster seizures are more likely to occur in the frontal and temporal lobes.

Ferastraoaru V, Schulze-Bonhage A, Lipton RB, Dumpelmann M, Legatt AD, Hunt SR. Termination of seizure clusters is related to duration of focal seizures. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):889-895.

To determine the unique characteristics of cluster seizures, investigators looked at 92 subjects, 83% of whom had at least one seizure cluster. They found that seizures occurring within a cluster were significantly shorter than the last seizure that occurred in the cluster. They also discovered that the terminal seizure in a cluster is similar to duration in isolated seizures that are not part of a cluster. Finally, the researchers found that cluster seizures are more likely to occur in the frontal and temporal lobes.

Ferastraoaru V, Schulze-Bonhage A, Lipton RB, Dumpelmann M, Legatt AD, Hunt SR. Termination of seizure clusters is related to duration of focal seizures. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):889-895.

To determine the unique characteristics of cluster seizures, investigators looked at 92 subjects, 83% of whom had at least one seizure cluster. They found that seizures occurring within a cluster were significantly shorter than the last seizure that occurred in the cluster. They also discovered that the terminal seizure in a cluster is similar to duration in isolated seizures that are not part of a cluster. Finally, the researchers found that cluster seizures are more likely to occur in the frontal and temporal lobes.

Ferastraoaru V, Schulze-Bonhage A, Lipton RB, Dumpelmann M, Legatt AD, Hunt SR. Termination of seizure clusters is related to duration of focal seizures. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):889-895.

To determine if genetic variation influences the susceptibility to traumatic brain injury and the subsequent posttraumatic seizures, Anne Ritter and her associates from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed the relationship between posttraumatic seizures and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thirty two SNPs were evaluated within SLC1A1 and SLC1A6, which are protein coding genes for glutamate transporters. (Glutamate transporters control glutamate levels and excitatory neurotransmission and have been associated with traumatic brain injury.) The analysis found that among 253 individuals, 49 had experienced posttraumatic seizures. Within this smaller group, they found genotypes at SNP rs10974620 (SLC1A1) linked to the time to the first seizure during a three year follow-up. And after factoring in several confounding variables, rs10974620 remained statistically significant (P = .017).

Rittner AC, Kammerer CM, Brooks MM, Conley YP, Wagner AM. Genetic variation in neuronal glutamate transport genes and associations with posttraumatic seizure. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):984-993. 

To determine if genetic variation influences the susceptibility to traumatic brain injury and the subsequent posttraumatic seizures, Anne Ritter and her associates from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed the relationship between posttraumatic seizures and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thirty two SNPs were evaluated within SLC1A1 and SLC1A6, which are protein coding genes for glutamate transporters. (Glutamate transporters control glutamate levels and excitatory neurotransmission and have been associated with traumatic brain injury.) The analysis found that among 253 individuals, 49 had experienced posttraumatic seizures. Within this smaller group, they found genotypes at SNP rs10974620 (SLC1A1) linked to the time to the first seizure during a three year follow-up. And after factoring in several confounding variables, rs10974620 remained statistically significant (P = .017).

Rittner AC, Kammerer CM, Brooks MM, Conley YP, Wagner AM. Genetic variation in neuronal glutamate transport genes and associations with posttraumatic seizure. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):984-993. 

To determine if genetic variation influences the susceptibility to traumatic brain injury and the subsequent posttraumatic seizures, Anne Ritter and her associates from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed the relationship between posttraumatic seizures and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thirty two SNPs were evaluated within SLC1A1 and SLC1A6, which are protein coding genes for glutamate transporters. (Glutamate transporters control glutamate levels and excitatory neurotransmission and have been associated with traumatic brain injury.) The analysis found that among 253 individuals, 49 had experienced posttraumatic seizures. Within this smaller group, they found genotypes at SNP rs10974620 (SLC1A1) linked to the time to the first seizure during a three year follow-up. And after factoring in several confounding variables, rs10974620 remained statistically significant (P = .017).

Rittner AC, Kammerer CM, Brooks MM, Conley YP, Wagner AM. Genetic variation in neuronal glutamate transport genes and associations with posttraumatic seizure. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):984-993. 

First-trimester exposure to pregabalin may increase the risk of major birth defects, according to a study published online ahead of print May 18 in Neurology.

Pregabalin is an FDA-approved treatment for seizures and neuropathic pain. It is also a common off-label treatment for restless legs syndrome, cyclic mood disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Ursula Winterfeld, PhD, of the Swiss Teratogen Information Service and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues conducted a multicenter, observational cohort study in which they compared pregnancy outcomes of 164 women exposed to pregabalin with 656 controls who were not exposed to any known teratogenic medications or antiepileptic drugs. Data for this study were collected from 2004 to 2013 and included data from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Turkey.

Of the women on the medication, 77% started taking pregabalin before they became pregnant and stopped taking the drug at a median of six weeks into their pregnancies. Of the women taking pregabalin, 13% were also taking another antiepileptic drug.

Pregnancies of the women who took pregabalin during the first trimester of pregnancy were three times more likely to result in major birth defects than those of women who did not take the drug—6.0% versus 2.1%, respectively. The major birth defects included heart defects and structural problems with the CNS or other organ systems. The study also revealed a lower rate of live births in the pregabalin group due to elective and medically indicated pregnancy terminations.

“We can’t draw any definitive conclusions from this study, since many of the women were taking other drugs that could have played a role in the birth defects and because the study was small and the results need to be confirmed with larger studies, but these results do signal that there may be an increased risk for major birth defects after taking pregabalin during the first trimester of pregnancy,” said Dr. Winterfeld.

She suggested that before a woman is prescribed pregabalin, it is important to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks and that she is carefully informed about the use of effective birth control.

—Adaeze Stephanie Onyechi

First-trimester exposure to pregabalin may increase the risk of major birth defects, according to a study published online ahead of print May 18 in Neurology.

Pregabalin is an FDA-approved treatment for seizures and neuropathic pain. It is also a common off-label treatment for restless legs syndrome, cyclic mood disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Ursula Winterfeld, PhD, of the Swiss Teratogen Information Service and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues conducted a multicenter, observational cohort study in which they compared pregnancy outcomes of 164 women exposed to pregabalin with 656 controls who were not exposed to any known teratogenic medications or antiepileptic drugs. Data for this study were collected from 2004 to 2013 and included data from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Turkey.

Of the women on the medication, 77% started taking pregabalin before they became pregnant and stopped taking the drug at a median of six weeks into their pregnancies. Of the women taking pregabalin, 13% were also taking another antiepileptic drug.

Pregnancies of the women who took pregabalin during the first trimester of pregnancy were three times more likely to result in major birth defects than those of women who did not take the drug—6.0% versus 2.1%, respectively. The major birth defects included heart defects and structural problems with the CNS or other organ systems. The study also revealed a lower rate of live births in the pregabalin group due to elective and medically indicated pregnancy terminations.

“We can’t draw any definitive conclusions from this study, since many of the women were taking other drugs that could have played a role in the birth defects and because the study was small and the results need to be confirmed with larger studies, but these results do signal that there may be an increased risk for major birth defects after taking pregabalin during the first trimester of pregnancy,” said Dr. Winterfeld.

She suggested that before a woman is prescribed pregabalin, it is important to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks and that she is carefully informed about the use of effective birth control.

—Adaeze Stephanie Onyechi

First-trimester exposure to pregabalin may increase the risk of major birth defects, according to a study published online ahead of print May 18 in Neurology.

Pregabalin is an FDA-approved treatment for seizures and neuropathic pain. It is also a common off-label treatment for restless legs syndrome, cyclic mood disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Ursula Winterfeld, PhD, of the Swiss Teratogen Information Service and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues conducted a multicenter, observational cohort study in which they compared pregnancy outcomes of 164 women exposed to pregabalin with 656 controls who were not exposed to any known teratogenic medications or antiepileptic drugs. Data for this study were collected from 2004 to 2013 and included data from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Turkey.

Of the women on the medication, 77% started taking pregabalin before they became pregnant and stopped taking the drug at a median of six weeks into their pregnancies. Of the women taking pregabalin, 13% were also taking another antiepileptic drug.

Pregnancies of the women who took pregabalin during the first trimester of pregnancy were three times more likely to result in major birth defects than those of women who did not take the drug—6.0% versus 2.1%, respectively. The major birth defects included heart defects and structural problems with the CNS or other organ systems. The study also revealed a lower rate of live births in the pregabalin group due to elective and medically indicated pregnancy terminations.

“We can’t draw any definitive conclusions from this study, since many of the women were taking other drugs that could have played a role in the birth defects and because the study was small and the results need to be confirmed with larger studies, but these results do signal that there may be an increased risk for major birth defects after taking pregabalin during the first trimester of pregnancy,” said Dr. Winterfeld.

She suggested that before a woman is prescribed pregabalin, it is important to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks and that she is carefully informed about the use of effective birth control.

—Adaeze Stephanie Onyechi

Although open surgical resection is considered the gold standard for patients with epilepsy who do not respond to medical therapy, there are several viable alternatives, according to Englot and associates writing in Neurosurgical Review. Among the minimally invasive procedures to consider: stereotactic laser ablation and stereotactic radiosurgery, which the researchers say can offer relatively favorable seizure outcomes, especially in patients with mesial temporary lobe epilepsy. Other options include multiple subpial transections and corpus callosotomy in select patients. Among the palliative procedures to consider are vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and responsive neurostimulation, which the authors say may significantly decrease seizure frequency and improve quality of life.

Englot DJ, Birk H, Chang EF. Seizure outcomes in nonresective epilepsy surgery: an update. Neurosurg Rev. 2016; May 21 [Epub ahead of print]

Although open surgical resection is considered the gold standard for patients with epilepsy who do not respond to medical therapy, there are several viable alternatives, according to Englot and associates writing in Neurosurgical Review. Among the minimally invasive procedures to consider: stereotactic laser ablation and stereotactic radiosurgery, which the researchers say can offer relatively favorable seizure outcomes, especially in patients with mesial temporary lobe epilepsy. Other options include multiple subpial transections and corpus callosotomy in select patients. Among the palliative procedures to consider are vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and responsive neurostimulation, which the authors say may significantly decrease seizure frequency and improve quality of life.

Englot DJ, Birk H, Chang EF. Seizure outcomes in nonresective epilepsy surgery: an update. Neurosurg Rev. 2016; May 21 [Epub ahead of print]

Although open surgical resection is considered the gold standard for patients with epilepsy who do not respond to medical therapy, there are several viable alternatives, according to Englot and associates writing in Neurosurgical Review. Among the minimally invasive procedures to consider: stereotactic laser ablation and stereotactic radiosurgery, which the researchers say can offer relatively favorable seizure outcomes, especially in patients with mesial temporary lobe epilepsy. Other options include multiple subpial transections and corpus callosotomy in select patients. Among the palliative procedures to consider are vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and responsive neurostimulation, which the authors say may significantly decrease seizure frequency and improve quality of life.

Englot DJ, Birk H, Chang EF. Seizure outcomes in nonresective epilepsy surgery: an update. Neurosurg Rev. 2016; May 21 [Epub ahead of print]

In order to determine how common sudden unexpected death from epilepsy (SUDEP) is in people with an extra isodicentric 15 chromosome (idic15), researchers studied approximately 709 families registered with the Dup15Q Alliance. Their case-control study found 19 deaths among patients with idic15, 17 of whom had epilepsy.  Nine of these deaths were caused by probable or definite SUDEP; 2 others had what investigators considered possible SUDEP. Researchers concluded that SUDEP is common among children and young adults with duplications of the idic15 chromosome and that the risk of death is most likely to occur in patients with the most severe neurologic dysfunction.

Friedman D, Thaler A, Thaler J et al. Mortality in isodicentric chromosome 15 syndrome: the role of SUDEP. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;61:1-5. 

In order to determine how common sudden unexpected death from epilepsy (SUDEP) is in people with an extra isodicentric 15 chromosome (idic15), researchers studied approximately 709 families registered with the Dup15Q Alliance. Their case-control study found 19 deaths among patients with idic15, 17 of whom had epilepsy.  Nine of these deaths were caused by probable or definite SUDEP; 2 others had what investigators considered possible SUDEP. Researchers concluded that SUDEP is common among children and young adults with duplications of the idic15 chromosome and that the risk of death is most likely to occur in patients with the most severe neurologic dysfunction.

Friedman D, Thaler A, Thaler J et al. Mortality in isodicentric chromosome 15 syndrome: the role of SUDEP. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;61:1-5. 

In order to determine how common sudden unexpected death from epilepsy (SUDEP) is in people with an extra isodicentric 15 chromosome (idic15), researchers studied approximately 709 families registered with the Dup15Q Alliance. Their case-control study found 19 deaths among patients with idic15, 17 of whom had epilepsy.  Nine of these deaths were caused by probable or definite SUDEP; 2 others had what investigators considered possible SUDEP. Researchers concluded that SUDEP is common among children and young adults with duplications of the idic15 chromosome and that the risk of death is most likely to occur in patients with the most severe neurologic dysfunction.

Friedman D, Thaler A, Thaler J et al. Mortality in isodicentric chromosome 15 syndrome: the role of SUDEP. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;61:1-5. 

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the epilepsy surgery rate among adults in North America has remained stagnant according to a recent analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National Summary Data File and the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. A review of 6200 surgeries performed from 2000 to 2013 revealed that temporal lobectomy, the most common operation, was done in 59% of patients, but surgical rates for temporal and extra-temporal surgery did not change significantly during the study period. The researchers concluded that the findings in this study contrasted with previously published reports that suggested a dramatic decline in temporal lobectomy rates at high volume epilepsy centers in recent years. However, investigators did find that surgical adverse effects were higher when statistics from low and high volume centers were combined.

Rolston JD, Englot DJ, Knowlton RC, Chang EF. Rate and complications of adult epilepsy surgery in North America: Analysis of multiple databases. Epilepsy Res. 2016;124:55-62. 

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the epilepsy surgery rate among adults in North America has remained stagnant according to a recent analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National Summary Data File and the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. A review of 6200 surgeries performed from 2000 to 2013 revealed that temporal lobectomy, the most common operation, was done in 59% of patients, but surgical rates for temporal and extra-temporal surgery did not change significantly during the study period. The researchers concluded that the findings in this study contrasted with previously published reports that suggested a dramatic decline in temporal lobectomy rates at high volume epilepsy centers in recent years. However, investigators did find that surgical adverse effects were higher when statistics from low and high volume centers were combined.

Rolston JD, Englot DJ, Knowlton RC, Chang EF. Rate and complications of adult epilepsy surgery in North America: Analysis of multiple databases. Epilepsy Res. 2016;124:55-62. 

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the epilepsy surgery rate among adults in North America has remained stagnant according to a recent analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National Summary Data File and the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. A review of 6200 surgeries performed from 2000 to 2013 revealed that temporal lobectomy, the most common operation, was done in 59% of patients, but surgical rates for temporal and extra-temporal surgery did not change significantly during the study period. The researchers concluded that the findings in this study contrasted with previously published reports that suggested a dramatic decline in temporal lobectomy rates at high volume epilepsy centers in recent years. However, investigators did find that surgical adverse effects were higher when statistics from low and high volume centers were combined.

Rolston JD, Englot DJ, Knowlton RC, Chang EF. Rate and complications of adult epilepsy surgery in North America: Analysis of multiple databases. Epilepsy Res. 2016;124:55-62. 

Patients with non-acquired focal epilepsy are more likely to experience seizures while asleep, when compared to patients with generalized epilepsy. An analysis of nearly 1400 patients enrolled in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project also revealed that these sleep/wake patterns applied to both convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures. The study further found that seizures occurring within an hour of awakening were more likely to happen in patients with generalized epilepsy, for both convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures. The researchers also discovered that the timing of seizures in first degree relatives predicted the timing of seizures in the proband, suggesting a genetic underpinning to the correlations. 

Winawer MR, Shih J, Beck ES, Hunter JE, Epstein MP; EPGP Investigators. Genetic effects on sleep/wake variation on seizures. Epilepsia. 2016;57(4):557-665. 

Patients with non-acquired focal epilepsy are more likely to experience seizures while asleep, when compared to patients with generalized epilepsy. An analysis of nearly 1400 patients enrolled in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project also revealed that these sleep/wake patterns applied to both convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures. The study further found that seizures occurring within an hour of awakening were more likely to happen in patients with generalized epilepsy, for both convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures. The researchers also discovered that the timing of seizures in first degree relatives predicted the timing of seizures in the proband, suggesting a genetic underpinning to the correlations. 

Winawer MR, Shih J, Beck ES, Hunter JE, Epstein MP; EPGP Investigators. Genetic effects on sleep/wake variation on seizures. Epilepsia. 2016;57(4):557-665. 

Patients with non-acquired focal epilepsy are more likely to experience seizures while asleep, when compared to patients with generalized epilepsy. An analysis of nearly 1400 patients enrolled in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project also revealed that these sleep/wake patterns applied to both convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures. The study further found that seizures occurring within an hour of awakening were more likely to happen in patients with generalized epilepsy, for both convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures. The researchers also discovered that the timing of seizures in first degree relatives predicted the timing of seizures in the proband, suggesting a genetic underpinning to the correlations. 

Winawer MR, Shih J, Beck ES, Hunter JE, Epstein MP; EPGP Investigators. Genetic effects on sleep/wake variation on seizures. Epilepsia. 2016;57(4):557-665. 

Misconceptions about epilepsy abound in the Western world. An analysis of English language publications revealed that many people have “socially exclusionary attitudes” toward persons with epilepsy, are ignorant about proper treatment, and tend to overgeneralize about people with epilepsy in a way that stigmatizes them. The literature review also found that intervention studies have been effective in improving attitudes about the disease but concluded that “many were targeted to healthcare and education settings, were time intensive, and impractical for broad general population implementation.” 

Herrman LK, Welter E, Berg AT, et al. Epilepsy misconceptions and stigma reduction: current status in Western countries. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;60:165-173.

Misconceptions about epilepsy abound in the Western world. An analysis of English language publications revealed that many people have “socially exclusionary attitudes” toward persons with epilepsy, are ignorant about proper treatment, and tend to overgeneralize about people with epilepsy in a way that stigmatizes them. The literature review also found that intervention studies have been effective in improving attitudes about the disease but concluded that “many were targeted to healthcare and education settings, were time intensive, and impractical for broad general population implementation.” 

Herrman LK, Welter E, Berg AT, et al. Epilepsy misconceptions and stigma reduction: current status in Western countries. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;60:165-173.

Misconceptions about epilepsy abound in the Western world. An analysis of English language publications revealed that many people have “socially exclusionary attitudes” toward persons with epilepsy, are ignorant about proper treatment, and tend to overgeneralize about people with epilepsy in a way that stigmatizes them. The literature review also found that intervention studies have been effective in improving attitudes about the disease but concluded that “many were targeted to healthcare and education settings, were time intensive, and impractical for broad general population implementation.” 

Herrman LK, Welter E, Berg AT, et al. Epilepsy misconceptions and stigma reduction: current status in Western countries. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;60:165-173.

Persons with epilepsy are less likely to use the Internet compared with the general public. The recent CDC study that arrived at that conclusion suggested that this disparity may put patients with epilepsy at a disadvantage because it limits their access to online tools that can optimize their self-care and improve their quality of life. The study was based on data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, which confirmed that the disparity existed in all three age groups analyzed: 18-44 years, 45-59 years, 60 years and older.  

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epilepsy Program. Internet use and looking up information online in adults with epilepsy varies by epilepsy status — 2013 National Health Interview Survey. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;54:47-49. 

Persons with epilepsy are less likely to use the Internet compared with the general public. The recent CDC study that arrived at that conclusion suggested that this disparity may put patients with epilepsy at a disadvantage because it limits their access to online tools that can optimize their self-care and improve their quality of life. The study was based on data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, which confirmed that the disparity existed in all three age groups analyzed: 18-44 years, 45-59 years, 60 years and older.  

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epilepsy Program. Internet use and looking up information online in adults with epilepsy varies by epilepsy status — 2013 National Health Interview Survey. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;54:47-49. 

Persons with epilepsy are less likely to use the Internet compared with the general public. The recent CDC study that arrived at that conclusion suggested that this disparity may put patients with epilepsy at a disadvantage because it limits their access to online tools that can optimize their self-care and improve their quality of life. The study was based on data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, which confirmed that the disparity existed in all three age groups analyzed: 18-44 years, 45-59 years, 60 years and older.  

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epilepsy Program. Internet use and looking up information online in adults with epilepsy varies by epilepsy status — 2013 National Health Interview Survey. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;54:47-49. 

A recent study suggests that brain MRI abnormalities are more common in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events, when compared to the findings in normal persons. When investigators analyzed MRI data from 339 patients discharged from their epilepsy monitoring units, they found brain MRI abnormalities in 33.8% of patients with PNEEs and 57.7% in patients with epilepsy, much higher than would be found in a normal population.  The researchers also discovered that the brain MRI anomalies during epileptic seizures were more likely to occur in the temporal region of the brain, while PNEE anomalies were more frequently multifocal. 

Bolen RD, Koontz EH, Pritchard PB. Prevalence and distribution of MRI abnormalities in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;59:73-76. 

A recent study suggests that brain MRI abnormalities are more common in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events, when compared to the findings in normal persons. When investigators analyzed MRI data from 339 patients discharged from their epilepsy monitoring units, they found brain MRI abnormalities in 33.8% of patients with PNEEs and 57.7% in patients with epilepsy, much higher than would be found in a normal population.  The researchers also discovered that the brain MRI anomalies during epileptic seizures were more likely to occur in the temporal region of the brain, while PNEE anomalies were more frequently multifocal. 

Bolen RD, Koontz EH, Pritchard PB. Prevalence and distribution of MRI abnormalities in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;59:73-76. 

A recent study suggests that brain MRI abnormalities are more common in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events, when compared to the findings in normal persons. When investigators analyzed MRI data from 339 patients discharged from their epilepsy monitoring units, they found brain MRI abnormalities in 33.8% of patients with PNEEs and 57.7% in patients with epilepsy, much higher than would be found in a normal population.  The researchers also discovered that the brain MRI anomalies during epileptic seizures were more likely to occur in the temporal region of the brain, while PNEE anomalies were more frequently multifocal. 

Bolen RD, Koontz EH, Pritchard PB. Prevalence and distribution of MRI abnormalities in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;59:73-76.