Functional Non-Epileptic Seizures: An Interdisciplinary Approach For Diagnosis And Treatment

Co-sponsored by the Health Psychology and Neuropsychology Divisions of CPA

Date & Time:  Monday June 5th, 2023 at 06:00PM-07:00PM

Via Zoom

Cost:  FREE for CPA Members; $40 for non-members

Eligible for 1 Continuing Education Credit

Presenter: Dr. Siddharth Khasnavis

Functional non-epileptic seizures: An interdisciplinary approach for diagnosis and treatment

Abstract:

Functional non-epileptic seizures (FS) are abrupt episodes of altered motor, sensory or behavioral activity that can resemble epileptic seizures, but present without the expected electrophysiologic changes.  FS can occur independently or alongside epilepsy and are identified in up to 30% of individuals referred to tertiary care centers for medication refractory seizures. Psychological trauma, childhood abuse, traumatic brain injury and depression, are some of the factors which can precede or accompany this condition. Additionally, neurobiological models for FS point to abnormal connectivity between hubs that guide emotional processing, executive control, self-awareness, and sensorimotor function. In light of this, the care of individuals with FS benefits from a partnership between neurology and behavioral health to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.  While treatment is often centered around psychotherapy, an interdisciplinary approach ensures that both the primary condition and associated comorbidities are addressed.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the risk factors and comorbidities associated with functional seizures.
2. Outline the approach to diagnosis and current evidence guiding treatment of functional seizures.
3. Describe the framework for cognitive therapy developed for the treatment of functional seizures.

References:

1. Perez DL, LaFrance WC Jr. Nonepileptic seizures: an updated review. CNS Spectr. 2016 Jun;21(3):239-46.
2. Popkirov S, Asadi-Pooya AA, Duncan R, Gigineishvili D, Hingray C, Miguel Kanner A, LaFrance WC Jr, Pretorius C, Reuber M. The aetiology of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: risk factors and comorbidities. Epileptic Disord. 2019 Dec 1;21(6):529-547.
3. Beimer NJ, LaFrance WC Jr. Evaluation and Treatment of Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures. Neurol Clin. 2022 Nov;40(4):799-820.