Abstract
We conducted a follow-up study of 98 subjects who presented with seizures after watching a “Pocket Monster” TV animation (broadcast on December 16, 1998). We examined the relationship between the electroencephalographic (EEG) findings and the clinical symptoms after watching “Pocket Monster”. Thirty-five subjects with paroxysmal EEG waves in routine examination and with/without photoparoxysmal responses (PPRs) by intermittent photic stimulation were classified as the type I group, 18 subjects without paroxysmal EEG waves in routine examination and with PPRs were classified as the type II group, and 23 subjects with neither paroxysmal EEG waves in routine examination nor PPRs were classified as the type III group. In the type I group, 4 subjects showed photosensitive seizures and 7 subjects showed spontaneous seizures. In the type II group, 4 subjects showed photosensitive seizures and one subject showed spontaneous seizure. In the type III group, one sudject who had epileptic seizure in the past showed spontaneous seizures. In the subjects who showed seizures after watching “Pocket Monster”, the following characteristics were seen. (1) All subjects but one who showed photosensitive seizures belonged to the type I or type II group, and they were either not taking or had discontinued anti-epileptic medication when the photosensitive seizures occurred. (2) All subjects who showed spontaneous seizures for the first time after watching “Pocket Monster” belonged to the type I group.
