NEUROVEGETATIVE MECHANISMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NONEPILEPTIC SEIZURES (SYNCOPES) IN ADOLESCENCE AND THEIR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Non-epileptic paroxysms, particularly syncope, represent a major diagnostic challenge in pediatric and adolescent neurology. During adolescence, intensive neuroendocrine remodeling combined with autonomic nervous system instability often manifests as transient loss of consciousness. Misdiagnosis frequently leads to inappropriate antiepileptic drug prescription. This clinical study aimed to investigate the neurovegetative mechanisms underlying non-epileptic syncopal episodes in adolescents and to identify distinct autonomic and electrophysiological criteria for precise differential diagnosis. A prospective, controlled cohort study evaluated adolescents presenting with recurrent transient loss of consciousness. Patients with confirmed organic heart diseases or primary epilepsy were excluded. Evaluation methods focused on multi-system autonomic assessments, including the head-up tilt table test, prolonged video - EEG monitoring to capture paroxysmal events, and spectral analysis of heart rate variability to assess sympathetic-parasympathetic balance.