The use of nasopharyngeal or T1/T2 (aka F9/F10) electrodes are most helpful in recording epileptiform discharges associated with?

The use of nasopharyngeal or T1/T2 (F9/F10) electrodes is particularly beneficial for capturing epileptiform discharges associated with complex partial seizures. These electrode placements are effective because they can pick up electrical activity from deeper structures of the brain, specifically the temporal lobe where many complex partial seizures originate.

Complex partial seizures often arise from the temporal lobe, and conventional scalp electrodes may not adequately detect seizure activity that occurs in this area. The nasopharyngeal electrode, positioned near the entrance of the ear canal, provides a superior view of the temporal region's electrical activity, thus allowing for enhanced detection of the localized seizure discharges typical of complex partial seizures.

While generalized seizures occur across both hemispheres and might not be localized to the temporal area, and absence seizures are characterized by generalized spike-and-wave discharges that are easily detected with standard scalp electrodes, the unique characteristics of complex partial seizures make the specialized electrode placements particularly valuable.