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To the Editor.—
Contact epilepsy is a rare form of reflex epilepsy. A patient, who had some unusual presenting features, is discussed here.
Report of a Case.—
An 80-year-old man developed sudden jerking movements on touch stimulation over a ten-year period. The "shakes" were pronounced if he was startled by touch, especially while sitting or standing. Slowly, the condition progressed so that he would fall down precipitously if touched, with momentary loss of consciousness. This situation seriously restricted his social life.Electroencephalogram taken with patient sitting. Traces from top to bottom are left frontal, left parietal, left temporal, left occipital, right frontal, right parietal, right temporal, and right occipital. High-amplitude spikes, polyspikes, and slow wave discharges occurred when patient was touched. Horizontal line indicates time interval of one second; vertical arm, calibration of 50 μV.There was no relevant personal or family history. Neurological examination showed mild parkinsonian facies. Myoclonic