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Over 40 Different Types Of Seizures - Revised

Sun, 03/25/2007 - 03:04

It has been said repeatedly that there are over 40 different types of seizures with more or less only the most 'popular' listed. Let's see if we can locate the ones that aren't. These types of seizures affect someone and I feel need to be noted. I'm curious to see how many can be located. Anyone interested in helping me find them, please list what you find here along with their description. Thank you! Take care and have a good day! -Spiz This thread is a revision of the first one in order to make changes and additions.

A Note from epilepsy.com's Editors (August 2017)

This forum post was originally created in 2007. Over the years, many of the links provided in the comments have expired or may not have been updated. To find reliable, expert-verified information, visit the following sections of this site:

In late 2016, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) approved a new way of organizing seizures that reflects recent advances in our understanding of the brain and seizures. This new system will make diagnosis and classification of seizures easier and more accurate. Learn more here.

These terms don’t change what occurs during a seizure, but offer a different way of naming seizures. More accurate ways of naming seizures can lead to more appropriate treatment.

We also want to take this opportunity to remind site visitors...

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sleep Disorders

Submitted by spiz on Wed, 2007-05-02 - 01:52
EEG Atlas: Localization-related Epilepsies :The International Classification of Epileptic Syndromes and Epilepsies (International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE], 1989) classifies the epilepsies along 2 dichotomies: partial (ie, localization-related) versus generalized, and idiopathic versus cryptogenic or symptomatic. This double dichotomy conveniently allows presentation of the epilepsy classification in a simple table, as follows... EEG Atlas: Generalized Epilepsies : The International Classification of Epileptic Syndromes and Epilepsies (International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE], 1989) classifies the epilepsies along 2 dichotomies: partial (ie, localization-related) versus generalized, and idiopathic versus cryptogenic or symptomatic. This double dichotomy conveniently allows the epilepsy classification system to be presented in a simple table, as follows... Pyridoxine-Dependant Seizures (PDS) :Although rare, pyridoxine-dependent seizure (PDS) is a recognized cause of intractable seizures in neonates, psychomotor developmental delay, and, sometimes, death in untreated patients (Gupta, 2001; Baxter, 2001; Yoshikawa, 1999). Hunt et al first described PDS in 1954 (Gupta, 2001; Burd, 2000). Since then, fewer than 100 cases have been reported worldwide (Gupta, 2001; Yoshikawa, 1999). Later onset seizures due to pyridoxine deficiency have been reported (Gupta, 2001; Grillo, 2001). The 2 types of presentations are classic and atypical. The classic presentation consists of intractable seizures that appear within hours of birth and are resistant to conventional anticonvulsants. The seizures respond rapidly to administration of parenteral pyridoxine (Gupta, 2001). A trial of pyridoxine is recommended in all seizures that have no clear etiology and occur before the child is aged 18 months (Grillo, 2001)... Epileptic and Epileptiform Encephalopathies :Recently, the ILAE Task Force on Classification and Terminology (Engel, 2001) proposed a modified diagnostic scheme for epileptic seizures and epilepsy that for the first time recognizes a distinct category for epileptic encephalopathies in which the epileptiform abnormalities may contribute to progressive dysfunction. This category includes the following: early myoclonic encephalopathy, Ohtahara syndrome, West syndrome, Dravet syndrome, myoclonic status in nonprogressive encephalopathies, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, and epilepsy with continuous spikes during slow wave sleep (CSWS)...

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Sleep Disorders

Submitted by spiz on Wed, 2007-05-02 - 03:18
Adrenoleukodystrophy :The clinical presentation is largely dependent on the age of onset of the disease. The most severe type is the childhood cerebral form, which normally occurs in males between the ages of 5 and 10 and is characterized by failure to develop, seizures, ataxia, adrenal insufficiency, as well as degeneration of visual and auditory function. This form can also occur in adolescents and very rarely in adults... Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum :a rare birth defect (congenital disorder) in which there is a complete or partial absence of the corpus callosum. Agenesis of the corpus callosum occurs when the corpus callosum, the band of tissue connecting the two hemispheres of the brain, does not develop typically in utero...Other characteristics sometimes associated with callosal disorders include seizures, spasticity, early feeding difficulties and/or gastric reflux, hearing impairments, abnormal head and facial features, and mental retardation... Alexander Disease :a slowly progressing and fatal neurodegenerative disease. It is a very rare inherited disorder mostly affecting infants and children, causing developmental delay and changes in physical characteristics.Delays in development of some physical, psychological and behavioral skills, progressive enlargement of the head (macrocephaly), seizures, spasticity, in some cases also hydrocephalus, dementia, clumsy movements... Fahr's Syndrome :a rare, genetically dominant, inherited neurological disorder characterized by abnormal deposits of calcium in areas of the brain that control movement, including the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex...Symptoms of the disorder may include deterioration of motor function, pychosis dementia, seizures, headache, dysarthria (poorly articulated speech), spasticity (stiffness of the limbs) and spastic paralysis, eye impairments, and athetosis (involuntary, writhing movements)...

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Sleep Disorders

Submitted by spiz on Mon, 2007-05-21 - 02:45
Doose Syndrome Doose Syndrome(Myoclonic-Astatic Epilepsy) :As described by Doose, this group of patients is supposed to share a genetic predisposition related to idiopathic generalized epilepsy and it was also called “centrencephalic myoclonic-astatic petit mal” (Doose et al 1970). Thus, it consists of an etiological concept, not of a syndrome with homogeneous electroclinical pattern. In fact, it comprises several subgroups, each subgroup consisting of an epilepsy syndrome. These subgroups are reported as “severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy” (Dravet et al 1992a), “benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy” (Dravet et al 1992b), and cases that begin later in childhood. Thus, series reported by Doose and coworkers include at least three different syndromes of myoclonic epilepsy... Myoclonic-astatic epilepsy in a child with Sturge-Weber syndrome :A child with Sturge-Weber syndrome and a left occipital leptomeningeal angioma developed focal seizures at 6 years of age that responded initially to oxcarbazepine (Trileptal). After 7 months of seizure freedom, the patient developed typical myoclonic-astatic seizures associated with generalized electrographic discharges, which worsened as oxcarbazepine was increased... Myoclonic-Astatic Seizures (Doose) :Doose described a group of children with myoclonic and astatic seizures, often in combination with absence, generalized tonic-clonic, and tonic seizures. In this syndrome, astatic seizures (defined as seizures during which the patient is unable to stand) occurred suddenly, without warning, and the children collapsed onto the floor as if their legs had been pulled from under them. No loss of consciousness was apparent... Myoclonic-Astatic Epilepsy (Doose Syndrome) :Myoclonic-Astatic Epilepsy (MAE), or Doose Syndrome, is an epilepsy syndrome of early childhood that is often resistant to medication. For this reason, it can be difficult to treat. MAE is an idiopathic generalized epilepsy, meaning that there is no known cause for the seizures (idiopathic) and the seizures originate from all over the brain (generalized) as opposed to coming from one focal area...

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