PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AND PETIT MAL VARIANT, A TELEMETER STUDY
C. L. YEAGER M.D.1, and
A. J. GIANASCOL M.D.2
1 Director, EEG Laboratory, Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute, San Francisco, Calif.
2 Chief, Children's Service, Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute, San Francisco, Calif.
The study of behavior and the electroencephalogram has been enhanced by sound motion picture photography and EEG telemetry. The technique led to an unexpected degree of reduction of muscle and electrical artifacts resulting from the elimination of strong electrical fields previously produced by moving electrode wires. The data are permanently available for repeated study and evaluation.
A study of the first film produced using these techniques led to the following observations: 1. In one instance what appeared to be a petit mal variant seemed to follow the child's disappointment. A buildup of paroxysmal activity on the EEG culminated in a momentary lapse in the child's responsiveness. 2. Other paroxysmal dysrhythmias of less amplitude and duration could not be correlated with any apparent change in behavior. 3. During periods of pleasurable activity and relaxation, his EEG returned to a relatively normal appearance. 4. One instance of the child's focusing his attention, apparently aborting a dysrhythmic buildup, was described.
