Musicogenic seizure

[3][4] In addition, the causes of musicogenic seizures are not well-established as solely limited cases and research have been discovered and conducted respectively.

[8] Musical auditory hallucinations may also develop due to epilepsy in the temporal lobe, which is found to be affected in 75% cases of musicogenic seizures.

[1] This emotional effect of the music then triggers the increase of dopamine in the different parts of the brain, eventually leading to hyperexcitation, which is an abnormal excitation of neurons, and generation of seizures in those areas when there is a dysfunction in this system.

[14] These connections between the hippocampus, mesolimbic system, and auditory cortex provide a possible mechanism of music-induced seizure by helping the brain to relate music to emotion and dopamine release.

[1] Dysfunction in this sensory relay network leads to an abnormal release of dopamine, eventually inducing hyperexcitability of neurons and seizure when certain music is heard.

[5] Moreover, scientists discovered that there are other parts of the brain like basolateral amygdala involved in this connection between music, emotion, and seizure.

[15] Hence, this suggests that the mechanism behind musicogenic seizure still remains obscure and more research is required to fully understand it.

[3] The usual diagnosis of seizures is routinely carried out through electroencephalography (EEG), physical examination and a review of patient history.

[11] While an EEG typically tests varied frequencies of a light stimulus, musicogenic seizures are stimulated differently by music.

However, further obstacles arise in deducing the type of sound, song, and style of music which affects the patients with musicogenic seizures.

[17] These therapies work by helping patients gain emotional control and thereby reducing the frequency of seizure.

Often carbamazepine, phenytoin, and lamotrigine, commonly used for general epilepsy treatment, are prescribed to patients with music-induced seizure.

[18] Active epilepsy, defined as people who have continuing seizures or require treatment, can be found in 4-10 individuals per 1000 worldwide.