Common dopaminergic mechanism for epileptic photosensitivity in progressive myoclonus epilepsies

Neurology. 1990 Jan;40(1):53-6. doi: 10.1212/wnl.40.1.53.

Abstract

We studied the effect of apomorphine, a dopamine receptor agonist, on epileptic photosensitivity in 7 patients with progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME). Specific diagnoses included Baltic PME (Unverricht-Lundborg disease), Lafora disease, Kufs' disease, juvenile neuroaxonal dystrophy, and action myoclonus-renal failure syndrome; 2 patients had PME of uncertain etiology. Apomorphine blocked the epileptic photosensitivity in all patients and also reduced intention myoclonus in a patient with Baltic PME. There is a common deficit of dopaminergic inhibitory neurotransmission at the level of the striate cortex in patients with PME, regardless of the nature of the specific underlying neuropathologic process.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Apomorphine / administration & dosage*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Photosensitivity Disorders / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Apomorphine