About research
- Computer games and seizures workshop
When video or computer games first became
widely available, it was quickly found that
they could cause seizures. Though most of
these seizures happen in people with photosensitive
epilepsy, people with other types of epilepsy
can also be affected. Both the flicker on
the screen and certain patterns in the image
being displayed appear to be able trigger
seizures.
The Epilepsy Research Foundation (now Epilepsy
Research UK) organised a one-day workshop
on this new phenomenon, in London in September
1993, which was attended by eleven international
experts.
There appears to be no essential difference
between video game epilepsy and photosensitivity
in general, with regard to the eyelid and
eye movements that occur. However, other
factors such as the finger movements, higher
level of mental activity, the need for continuous
attention and the emotional responses associated
with playing a computer game, produced brain
activity changes (measured by EEG) more
often in patients with video game seizures
than in patients who did not have seizures
when playing video games. Lack of sleep
and fatigue also seem to make these seizures
more likely.
The experts at the meeting agreed that
more studies needed to be carried out into
the nature of video game-induced epilepsy.
Their consensus statement was published
in 1995. They also agreed a basic common
protocol (or study plan) for future studies
of video game-induced seizures around the
world, designed to ensure that the investigation
of the brain mechanisms underlying the seizure
triggers is of the highest standard. The
aim is to help manufacturers reduce the
risk.
