Investigation of the brainstem blink reflex circuitry in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Publication date: March 2016
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 127, Issue 3
Author(s): N. Uzun, M. Kandemir, M.E. Kiziltan, A. Gunduz, S.N. Yeni
BackgroundJuvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) which is among idiopathic generalized epilepsies presents with myoclonus and/or generalized tonic–clonic seizures during puberty. Electrophysiological studies showed findings at several levels including cortex, thalamus and spinal cord in JME. Given these information, we aimed to analyze electrophysiological findings at the level of brainstem using blink reflex (BR) and blink reflex recovery cycle (BR-RC).MethodsEighteen JME patients and age and sex matched 18 healthy volunteers are included in the study. BR and BR-RC with interstimulus intervals of 200ms and 400ms were recorded over orbicularis oculi on the nondominant side under the same conditions.ResultsJME patients had longer onset latencies (p=0.046) and higher amplitudes (p=0.022) of R2 component of BR. Recovery of responses after double stimulation with interstimulus interval of 400ms was higher in JME patients (p=0.040). Use of valproate did not have an impact on reflex responses.ConclusionOur results support increased excitability of BR pathway in JME without relevant pathological findings regarding BR.



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