A type of seizure characterized by a brief loss of awareness, interruption of activity, and staring.
Previously referred to as “petit mal.”
A seizure that causes a sudden loss of muscle tone, often resulting in a fall to the ground.
A focal ictal phenomenon — a subjective sensation that precedes a seizure.
Repetitive, stereotypical, involuntary movements that occur without conscious control.
Seizures that occur in relation to the menstrual cycle.
Referring to short, repetitive muscle jerks.
Related to thinking, perception, or recognition.
A neurostimulation method used to treat epilepsy by stimulating deep brain structures.
Epilepsy that does not respond to at least two appropriate anti-seizure medications or other standard treatments.
A diagnostic test that records the electrical activity of the brain.
A brain region responsible for essential functions such as movement or speech.
Avoiding this area is critical during epilepsy surgery.
A branch of neurosurgery focused on treating epilepsy.
The origin or cause of a disease.
Seizures associated with fever above 38°C in children aged approximately 6 months to 6 years.
These may predispose to later development of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis.
A developmental brain abnormality and common structural cause of epilepsy.
A seizure originating from one hemisphere of the brain cortex; may occur with or without impaired consciousness.
A seizure involving both hemispheres of the brain at onset, as evidenced by clinical features or EEG.
A patient’s typical seizure pattern.
Damage to the tissue of the temporal lobe, involving neuronal cell loss and scarring.
Of unknown origin.
Pertaining to or occurring during a seizure.
The time between seizures.
A non-pharmacological treatment involving a strict high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.
Sudden, brief, involuntary jerks of a muscle or group of muscles.
Occurring during or immediately (within 2–3 minutes) after a seizure.
Having increased sensitivity to flashing or flickering light.
The phase immediately after a seizure, often involving temporary symptoms such as confusion, weakness, or speech disturbance.
A preictal phenomenon occurring minutes to hours before a seizure, often involving mood or cognitive changes.
Unresponsive to treatment.
A fast-acting treatment administered to stop a prolonged seizure and prevent status epilepticus
A group of seizures occurring within a short period of time, often with increased frequency.
A temporary (paroxysmal) event of symptoms and/or signs due to abnormal, synchronized neuronal activity in the brain.
A rare, life-threatening condition where seizures last more than 5 minutes or occur in rapid succession without full recovery of consciousness in between.
A recognizable combination of symptoms characteristic of a particular disease or condition.
The brain region responsible for producing the clinical symptoms of a seizure.
Relating to sustained muscle tension or stiffness.
A neurostimulation therapy using electrical impulses delivered to the vagus nerve in the neck to treat epilepsy.
