The incidence of a first seizure triggered by electronic screen games in subjects without a history of epilepsy was determined by reviewing reports from 118 EEG departments in Great Britain during two 3-month periods, and analysing the data at the National Society for Epilepsy, Gerrards Cross Bucks, and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and Institute of Neurology, National Hospital, London, UK. The EEG showed a photoparoxysmal response, or there was clinical evidence of photosensitivity, repeat seizures on further exposure to the games, and/or occipital spikes in the resting EEG. The age range of the majority of patients (103/118) was 7 to 19 years. Within this age group, the annual incidence of first seizures triggered by playing electronic screen games was estimated at 1.5/100,000. [1]

COMMENT. TV-induced seizures are likely to be less common in America than in Great Britain because of the differences in flicker rate patterns (60 Hz vs 50 Hz). Computers vary in flicker rate, and their tendency to induce seizures is independent of the main frequency. Sleep deprivation was a contributing factor in a significant number of patients in this study. The length of play sessions was not a hazard.