Changes in paroxysmal brainwave patterns of epileptics by weak-field magnetic stimulation

In order to assess the effects of weak-field magnetic stimulation on brain electrical activity in epileptics, three patients suffering from mesial tem poral lobe epilepsy (MTLE) were exposed to DC magnetic fields of 0.9 and 1. 8 millitesla (mT). The EEG activity was recorded simultaneously from intrac ranial electrodes inserted through the foramen ovale (FO) and scalp electro des. Significant enhancement of interictal epileptiform activity was observ ed in two patients, while in one patient, magnetic stimulation resulted in the cessation of interictal spike/wave trains. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.