Identification of geographic sites studying photosensitivity

Abstract

Photosensitive epilepsy is a rare reflex epilepsy characterized by seizures in photosensitive individuals. The incidence has been reported as 1.1/100,000 persons per year among the general population, representing about 2% of all new cases of epilepsy. This chapter focusses on the geographical distribution of scientific and medical studies on photosensitive epilepsy published across the world over the last 11 years (between November 1, 2008 and January 31, 2019). Searches were conducted in PubMed using the following key terms in the title/abstract: “photosensitivity” OR “photosensitive epilepsy”, with “HUMANS” as a filter. A total of 465 articles were identified from the initial search in PubMed. After reviewing all full-text articles and excluding papers about other reflex epilepsy, a total of 164 papers remained for analysis. The largest number of selected articles was produced by European authors (n = 96). The American continent (n = 31) followed, then papers from Asia (n = 29), and a modest contribution also came from the Oceanic continent (n = 8). This review clearly indicates the need for more research on photosensitive epilepsy in more diverse countries and in groups of persons of different ethnic backgrounds. Recommendations are also proposed in order to help facilitate an increase in the number of countries in which research is carried out on photosensitive epilepsy.