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Over 40 Different Types Of Seizures - Revised
Sun, 03/25/2007 - 03:04It 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.
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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.
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Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal
Submitted by spiz on Wed, 2007-04-04 - 22:26
Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy (ADNFLE) :This is a recently described syndrome that appears to be a genetic localization-related epilepsy.Seizures are nocturnal and occur in clusters, mimicking parasomnias. They mostly are brief tonic seizures and rare tonic-clonic convulsions, often preceded by a nonspecific aura... Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy :Seizures typically are complex partial with automatisms, often preceded by a simple partial phase with sensory symptoms (ie, aura). Auras commonly observed in temporal lobe epilepsy are epigastric (abdominal) and psychic auras, including déja-vu or jamais-vu and fear. Neocortical Seizures :Neocortical seizures may be simple partial or complex partial, with symptoms depending on the area of cortex affected. Frontal discharges can spread rapidly and mimic "primary" generalized spike-wave complexes. This is referred to as "secondary bilateral synchrony" (with interictal epileptiform discharges that appear to be generalized but are in reality "secondarily generalized" focal discharges)... Idiopathic Epilepsies :While generally idiopathic means "of unknown cause," idiopathic epilepsies are not truly of unknown cause. This terminology most likely will be corrected in the upcoming classification system of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Idiopathic epilepsies are determined genetically and have no apparent structural cause, with seizures as the only manifestation of the condition. Localization - Related Epilepsies :Because of dramatic differences in electroclinical semiology and management, localization-related epilepsies usually are divided into mesiotemporal and neocortical. The most common localization-related epilepsy in adults is mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy, but, in neonates and young children, this is less common than neocortical epilepsy... Janz Syndrome (JME) :A primary generalized epilepsy syndrome, usually beginning between ages 5 to 17 years, characterized by myoclonic (muscle-jerk) seizures and possibly also absence and tonic-clonic seizures; responds well to valproate... Symptomatic Myoclonic Epilepsy :This is less frequent than the idiopathic (ie, cryptogenic) variety, and the age of onset is usually between a few months and 2-3 years. Clinical features include psychomotor retardation, and neuroimaging frequently demonstrates brain atrophy. Myoclonic jerks can occur alone, but they more commonly are associated with generalized clonic seizures. Rhythmic jerks can occur during sleep, with associated dystonic posturing during wakefulness. The prognosis for meaningful cognitive function is poor, although the myoclonic jerks may be controlled medically. Cryptogenic Myoclonic Epilepsy :This group includes all patients with idiopathic seizures who display primarily recurrent myoclonic attacks. Some patients have infrequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Most myoclonic seizures are axial, which sometimes results in falls. The outcome in these patients is usually favorable, although about half the patients may have behavioral or cognitive dysfunction. This has sometimes been termed "benign myoclonic epilepsy." Myoclonic Variant of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome :All patients have myoclonic seizures associated with recurrent brief attacks of varying types. Examples of these attacks include atonic seizures, atypical absence, partial seizures, and brief tonic seizures. This is sometimes termed the myoclonic variant of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The outcome is worse than in the cryptogenic myoclonic epilepsy group; more patients have cognitive dysfunction, and a significant proportion of those have severe mental retardation. However, the outcome is better than in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome... Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy :Occurs in a significant proportion of severe childhood epilepsies. The age of onset of seizures is between 4 and 11 months, and the seizures are initially unilateral or generalized clonic movements (or rarely, generalized tonic-clonic movements). *Seizures are usually long lasting, from 10-90 minutes in duration, and mostly associated with fever or minor infections. *Myoclonic seizures appear by the second or third year and are often photosensitive. *Atypical absence seizures may be seen without an electrographic correlate. *Initially, development may be normal; later, cognitive delays become evident and are usually moderate to severe. Most patients have fluctuating ataxia and erratic myoclonus. *The myoclonic seizures may resolve after a few years, but other seizures tend to be persistent... Neonatal Myoclonic Epilepsy :This syndrome presents in the first 4 weeks of life with prominent myoclonic seizures. *The seizures usually result from a severe metabolic disorder, including that associated with elevated glycine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), although they may be associated with any condition that produces severe brain dysfunction. *Distinguishing neonatal myoclonic epilepsy from benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is important. The latter condition is seen in healthy infants and occurs only in sleep... Early Myoclonic Encephalopathy :Myoclonic seizures can occur in many types of epilepsy; but in infancy and early childhood, they may occur as the dominant seizure type. The outlook and treatment of this condition differ from those of the more severe Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which also may have myoclonic seizures as an important component. At times in this heterogenous group, nonmyoclonic seizures may dominate the clinical picture... Myoclonic SE :Myoclonic seizures are characterized by quick, often repetitive, jerks that randomly involve the limbs. *Seizures often are repetitive and, in some cases, may be unabated for lengthy periods. *Some patients with myoclonic epilepsies may sustain repetitive myoclonus that persists for days with or without altered consciousness...