The HIHARS-AA phenomenon – a rare state of consciousness induced by hyperventilation, a “mask” of absence epilepsy: literature review with a case report
- Authors: Nurgaleeva A.A.1, Menshenin V.M.2, Abramov M.O.3, Petrukhin A.S.1,3
-
Affiliations:
- N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenovskiy University)
- Svt. Luka’s Institute of Child and Adult Neurology and Epilepsy
- Issue: Vol 21, No 1 (2026)
- Pages: 61-68
- Section: REVIEWS AND LECTURES
- Published: 30.04.2026
- URL: https://rjdn.abvpress.ru/jour/article/view/553
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17650/2073-8803-2026-21-1-61-68
- ID: 553
Cite item
Abstract
HIHARS-AA (hyperventilation-induced high-amplitude rhythmic slowing with altered awareness) is a non-epileptic, age-dependent condition that can coexist with childhood absence epilepsy, clinically indistinguishably mimicking absence seizures. Without video-electroencephalographic monitoring, misinterpretation of this phenomenon leads to diagnostic errors and unnecessary polytherapy, whereas correct verification of the phenomenon allows for optimized treatment and seizure control. The authors present a literature review with a case report.
About the authors
A. A. Nurgaleeva
N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: Abramov-m-o@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, 1 Ostrovityanova St., Moscow 117997
V. M. Menshenin
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenovskiy University)
Email: Abramov-m-o@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Build. 2, 8 Trubetskaya St., Moscow 119048
Mikhail O. Abramov
Svt. Luka’s Institute of Child and Adult Neurology and Epilepsy
Author for correspondence.
Email: Abramov-m-o@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5215-9548
Russian Federation, 9 Akademika Anokhina St., Moscow 119571
A. S. Petrukhin
N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia; Svt. Luka’s Institute of Child and Adult Neurology and Epilepsy
Email: Abramov-m-o@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9961-0199
Russian Federation, 1 Ostrovityanova St., Moscow 117997; 9 Akademika Anokhina St., Moscow 119571
References
- Demin D.B., Postkotinova L.V. Significance of the level of hypocapnia in changes in the electroencephalogram during prolonged hyperventilation in humans. Zhurnal mediko-biologicheskikh issledovaniy = Journal of Medical and Biological Research 2017;5(3) 24–32. (In Russ.).
- Mukhin K.Yu., Glukhova L.Yu., Kholin A.A. Juvenile absence epilepsy. In: Epilepsy. Atlas of Electroclinical Diagnostics and Therapy. Vol. 1. Moscow: Russkiy pechatnyy dvor, 2023. Pp. 610–698. (In Russ.).
- Mukhin K.Yu., Glukhova L.Yu., Kholin A.A. Structural temporal epilepsy. In: Epilepsy. Atlas of Electroclinical Diagnostics and Therapy. Vol. 1. Moscow: Russkiy pechatnyy dvor, 2023. Pp. 502–522. (In Russ.).
- Mukhin K.Yu., Mironov M.B., Barletova E.I. Epileptic auras: clinical characteristics and topical significance. Moscow: GOU VPO RGMU im. N.I. Pirogova, 2011. Pp. 9, 10. (In Russ.).
- Mukhin K.Yu., Petrukhin A.S. Epileptic syndromes. Clinical electroencephalographic diagnosis and therapy. In: Epileptic Syndromes. Diagnostics and Therapy. 5th edn. Moscow: Binom, 2020. Pp. 146–323. (In Russ.).
- Barker A., Ng J., Rittey C.D. et al. Outcome of children with hyperventilation-induced high-amplitude rhythmic slow activity with altered awareness. Dev Med Child Neurol 2012;54(11):1001–5. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04337.x
- Berg A.T., Shinnar S., Levy S.R. et al. How well can epilepsy syndromes be identified at diagnosis? A reassessment 2 years after initial diagnosis. Epilepsia 2000;41(10):1269–75.
- Epstein M.A., Duchowny M., Jayakar P. et al. Altered responsiveness during hyperventilation-induced EEG slowing: a non-epileptic phenomenon in normal children. Epilepsia 1994;35(6):1204–7.
- Leung A.K.C., Leung A.A.M., Wong A.H.C., Hon K.L. Breath-holding spells in pediatrics: a narrative review of the current evidence. Curr Pediatr Rev 2019;15(1):22–9.
- Mattozzi S., Cerminara C., Sotgiu M.A. et al. Occurrence of hyperventilation-induced high amplitude rhythmic slowing with altered awareness after successful treatment of typical absence seizures and a network hypothesis. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2021;6:185–8. doi: 10.1016/j.cnp.2021.03.009
- Nasreddine W., Fakhredin M., Makke Y. et al. Hyperventilation-induced high-amplitude rhythmic slowing: a mimicker of absence seizures in children. Epilepsy Behav 2020;103(Pt A):106510.
- Reivich M. Arterial PCO2 and cerebral hemodynamics. Am J Physiology 1964;206:25–35.
- Salvati K.A., Beenhakker M.P. Out of thin air: hyperventilation-triggered seizures. Brain Res 2019;1703:41–52.
- Tiotiu A., Ioan I., Poussel M. et al. Comparative analysis between available challenge tests in the hyperventilation syndrome. Respir Med 2021;179:1–8. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106329
Supplementary files

