PNES
Medical abbreviation · Neurology
| Stands for | Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
PNES stands for Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, a neurology abbreviation.
Episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but are not caused by abnormal electrical brain activity, instead representing a functional neurological disorder often linked to psychological stress or trauma. They account for a substantial share of patients referred to epilepsy centers for uncontrolled seizures.
Example: Video-EEG captured three typical events with side-to-side head movements and normal EEG: PNES.
Usage notes
Many experts now prefer "functional seizures" or "dissociative seizures," because "psychogenic" can sound dismissive. The gold standard for diagnosis is recording a typical event on video-EEG. Patients are often treated for epilepsy for years before diagnosis. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the main treatment, and antiseizure medications are tapered when epilepsy is excluded.
Related abbreviations
More neurology abbreviations
- PCS – Post-concussion syndrome
- PD – Parkinson's disease
- PICA – Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
- PLEX – Plasma exchange
- PML – Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
- PN – Peripheral neuropathy
- PPA – Primary progressive aphasia
- PPMS – Primary progressive multiple sclerosis
- PRES – Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
- PSP – Progressive supranuclear palsy
- PTC – Pseudotumor cerebri
- PVS – Persistent vegetative state
See all 131 neurology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.