PROVIDENCE – A new study by Rhode Island Hospital researcher Dr. W. Curt LaFrance Jr. published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior has identified differences in diagnosis and treatment of nonepileptic seizures in the United States and Chile.

According to LaFrance, who is director of neuropsychiatry and behavioral neurology at Rhode Island Hospital, increasing access to video-EEG may aid in distinguishing between epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, which may look similar but actually have different causes and treatment.

“Video-EEG monitoring or ambulatory EEG with video can capture the brainwaves along with a video of the patient’s seizure, which, when reviewed together greatly helps make the proper diagnosis,” LaFrance said.

In an unrelated matter, Rhode Island Hospital hosted the Epilepsy Education & Networking Conference on Oct. 13, addressing issues facing individuals and their families who are affected by epilepsy and seizures.

There are approximately 92,000 individuals living with epilepsy in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Some 200,000 new cases are diagnosed nationally each year. •