Dopamine agonist treatment of self-induced pattern-sensitive epilepsy. A case report.

Abusing his own pattern sensitivity, a mentally retarded boy displayed frequent self-induced seizures resistant to conventional anticonvulsive treatment. Bromocriptine and fenfluramine have been successful in terminating self-induced seizures by means of blocking the photosensitive triggering mechanism. Secondary to this effect, the pathological drive toward seizures diminished. The possible mechanism of action has been discussed briefly.