Understanding psychogenic nonepileptic seizures—Phenomenology, semiology and the Integrative Cognitive Model. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reuber, Markus; Brown, Richard J.
• Is Part Of: Seizure. Volume 44(2017)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Aetiology -- Cognition -- Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures -- Electroencephalography -- Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; Seizures -- Periodicals; Épilepsie -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 616.853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2016.10.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-1311

Abstract

Abstract: Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES) are one of the commonest differential diagnoses of epilepsy. This paper provides a narrative review of what has been learnt in the last 25 years regarding the visible manifestations, physiological features, subjective experiences and interactional aspects of PNES. We then explore how current insights into PNES semiology and phenomenology map onto the Integrative Cognitive Model (ICM), a new account of these phenomena that unifies previous approaches within a single explanatory framework. We discuss to what extent recent psychological and neurophysiological research is consistent with the ICM and indicate how the more detailed analysis of physiological data, connectivity analyses of EEG and functional or structural MRI data may provide greater insights into the biopsychosocial underpinnings of a disabling and under-researched disorder.