Abstract
Background: Video game seizures have been reported in photosensitive and non-photosensitive patients with epilepsy. The game Super Mario World, has led to many cases of first seizures. We examined whether this game was indeed more provocative than other programs and whether playing the game added to this effect. Methods: We prospectively investigated 352 patients in four European cities, using a standard protocol including testing of a variety of visual stimuli. We correlated historical data on provocative factors in daily life with electroencephalographic laboratory findings. Results: The video game, Super Mario World proved more epileptogenic than standard TV programs and as provocative as programs with flashing lights and patterns. Most striking was the fact that video game-viewing and-playing on the 50 and 100 Hz TV was significantly more provocative than viewing the standard program (P <0.001, P <0.05 respectively). Playing the video game Mario World on a 50 Hz TV, appeared to be significantly more provocative than playing this game on the 100 Hz TV (P <0.001). Of 163 patients with a history of TV-, VG- or CG-seizures, 85% of them showed epileptiform discharges in response to photic stimulation, 44% to patterns, 59% to 50 Hz TV and 29% to 100 Hz TV. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with a history of video game seizures are, in the vast majority, photosensitive and should be investigated with standardised photic stimulation. Games and programs with bright background or flashing images are specifically provocative. Playing a video game on a 100 Hz TV is less provocative [published with videosequences].
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 121-128 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Epileptic Disorders |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
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Keywords
- Computer games
- Epilepsy
- Photosensitivity
- Super Mario World
- TV
- Video games
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
Cite this
Video games are exciting : A European study of video game-induced seizures and epilepsy. / Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité, D. G A; Martins da Silva, A.; Ricci, S.; Rubboli, G.; Tassinari, C. A.; Lopes, J.; Bettencourt, M.; Oosting, J.; Segers, J. P.
In: Epileptic Disorders, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2002, p. 121-128.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Video games are exciting
T2 - A European study of video game-induced seizures and epilepsy
AU - Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité, D. G A
AU - Martins da Silva, A.
AU - Ricci, S.
AU - Rubboli, G.
AU - Tassinari, C. A.
AU - Lopes, J.
AU - Bettencourt, M.
AU - Oosting, J.
AU - Segers, J. P.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Background: Video game seizures have been reported in photosensitive and non-photosensitive patients with epilepsy. The game Super Mario World, has led to many cases of first seizures. We examined whether this game was indeed more provocative than other programs and whether playing the game added to this effect. Methods: We prospectively investigated 352 patients in four European cities, using a standard protocol including testing of a variety of visual stimuli. We correlated historical data on provocative factors in daily life with electroencephalographic laboratory findings. Results: The video game, Super Mario World proved more epileptogenic than standard TV programs and as provocative as programs with flashing lights and patterns. Most striking was the fact that video game-viewing and-playing on the 50 and 100 Hz TV was significantly more provocative than viewing the standard program (P <0.001, P <0.05 respectively). Playing the video game Mario World on a 50 Hz TV, appeared to be significantly more provocative than playing this game on the 100 Hz TV (P <0.001). Of 163 patients with a history of TV-, VG- or CG-seizures, 85% of them showed epileptiform discharges in response to photic stimulation, 44% to patterns, 59% to 50 Hz TV and 29% to 100 Hz TV. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with a history of video game seizures are, in the vast majority, photosensitive and should be investigated with standardised photic stimulation. Games and programs with bright background or flashing images are specifically provocative. Playing a video game on a 100 Hz TV is less provocative [published with videosequences].
AB - Background: Video game seizures have been reported in photosensitive and non-photosensitive patients with epilepsy. The game Super Mario World, has led to many cases of first seizures. We examined whether this game was indeed more provocative than other programs and whether playing the game added to this effect. Methods: We prospectively investigated 352 patients in four European cities, using a standard protocol including testing of a variety of visual stimuli. We correlated historical data on provocative factors in daily life with electroencephalographic laboratory findings. Results: The video game, Super Mario World proved more epileptogenic than standard TV programs and as provocative as programs with flashing lights and patterns. Most striking was the fact that video game-viewing and-playing on the 50 and 100 Hz TV was significantly more provocative than viewing the standard program (P <0.001, P <0.05 respectively). Playing the video game Mario World on a 50 Hz TV, appeared to be significantly more provocative than playing this game on the 100 Hz TV (P <0.001). Of 163 patients with a history of TV-, VG- or CG-seizures, 85% of them showed epileptiform discharges in response to photic stimulation, 44% to patterns, 59% to 50 Hz TV and 29% to 100 Hz TV. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with a history of video game seizures are, in the vast majority, photosensitive and should be investigated with standardised photic stimulation. Games and programs with bright background or flashing images are specifically provocative. Playing a video game on a 100 Hz TV is less provocative [published with videosequences].
KW - Computer games
KW - Epilepsy
KW - Photosensitivity
KW - Super Mario World
KW - TV
KW - Video games
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036314026&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036314026&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 12105074
AN - SCOPUS:0036314026
VL - 4
SP - 121
EP - 128
JO - Epileptic Disorders
JF - Epileptic Disorders
SN - 1294-9361
IS - 2
ER -