Previous studies have shown a low incidence of clinical seizure development in healthy individuals with EEG epileptiform discharge activity. This has tended to de-emphasise the role of the EEG in screening pilots. A call is made for consideration of impairment of function associated with epileptiform discharges as a relevant factor in determination of fitness to fly and reconsideration of the role of the EEG in this area.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdesH. W.The EEG in relation to several types of aircraft, pilot incidents and accidents. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1961, 13, 313–314.
2.
EverettW. D., & AkhaviM. S.Follow-up of 14 abnormal electroencephalograms in asymptomatic US Air Force Academy cadets. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 1982, 53, 277–280.
3.
GregoryR. P.OatesT., & MerryR. T. G.Electroencephalogram epileptiform abnormalities in candidates for aircrew training. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1993, 86, 75–77.
4.
HughesJ. R.The significance of the interictal spike discharge: a review. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 1989, 6, 207–226.
5.
Kasteleijn-Nolst TrenitéD. G. A.RiemersmaJ. B. T.BinnieC. D.SmitA. M., & MeinardiH.The influence of subclinical epileptiform EEG discharges on driving behaviour. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1987, 67, 167–170.
Lennox-BuchthalM.BuchthalF., & RosenfalckP.Correlation of electroencephalographic findings with crash rate of military jet pilots. Epilepsia, 1959, 1, 366–372.
8.
MurdochB. D.The EEG in pilot selection. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine1991, 62, 1096–1098.
9.
ShewmonD. A., & ErwinR. J.The effect of focal interictal spikes on perception and reaction time: I. General considerations. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1988, 69, 319–337.
