Nonepileptic episodic events can be vexing for the patient, and they present considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to neurologists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare practitioners. Broadly construed, nonepileptic episodic events are paroxysmal occurrences arising from a physiologic or psychogenic cause, resulting in alterations in behavior, experience, sensation, or movement. Nonepileptic episodic events closely resemble so-called epileptic seizures. However, they are not caused by the excessive synchronous cortical electroencephalographic activity that defines epileptic seizures, nor are they associated with concomitant epileptiform abnormalities on electroencephalogram. Both physiologic and psychogenic origins are subsumed under the general term nonepileptic episodic events. The term “psychogenic nonepileptic seizures” (PNES) reinforces the idea that events are not epileptic seizures and may instead be of psychogenic origin. At the same time, PNES signals to the knowledgeable practitioner that the evaluation and management will be different than for similar-appearing events that do have “epileptic” origins. PNES and epilepsy can coexist.In most cases, the skills of an epilepsy specialist with access to an epilepsy monitoring unit will be needed to confirm the PNES diagnosis. Diagnostic confirmation is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments, some of which risk nontrivial harm. This activity reviews the differences between epileptic seizures and PNES and outlines an approach to prompt diagnostic confirmation and implementation of appropriate treatment strategies. This activity further highlights the role of the interprofessional team in caring for patients with PNES.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/27954
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.0 hours
Nursing: 1.0 hours
Pharmacy: 1.0 hours
Social Work: 1.0 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABPATH - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABIM - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: All Practice Areas (e.g. ethics), General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Neurology