The Importance of Photosensitivity for Epilepsy

Dorothée Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité, MD, PhD, works in the Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands and the Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Her work in Utrecht aims to help unravel epilepsy genetics, while in Rome she was given a Marie Curie Chair position within the FP6 EU research program. Dr. Kasteleijn trained extensively in epilepsy at the Epilepsy Centre “Meer en Bosch- de Cruquiushoeve” (now known as SEIN) and in video-EEG and the combination of pharmacology and EEG studies. Dr. Kasteleijn has practiced both child and adult neurology. She has done research on various topics in epilepsy (driving, neuropsychology, and neuropharmacology), but above all has been known for her work on photosensitivity since the publication of her thesis on this topic in 1989. She enjoys international collaboration and has (co-)organized many workshops, founded a European Consortium on Photosensitivity Genetics, and stimulated the development of EU guidelines. She is the author of very many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is regularly invited as a keynote speaker all over the world. She is an editor and reviewer for many journals in the field of Neurology. She has had many international PhD and Master’s students. One of her most consistent activities besides lecturing and publishing is raising awareness at the international level of the patient with epilepsy in general and photosensitive epilepsy in particular.

Part I. Has Photosensitivity changed over the years?.- Part II. Does Photosensitivity Matter; Clinical Relevance?.- Part III. Abnormal Electroencephalographic Response to Photic Stimulation.- Part IV. The PPR: influence of age, sex and ethnicity.- Part V. How to Approach the Patient with Photosensitivity.- Part VI. Treatment and Management of Photosensitivity.- Appendix.