39^th European Neurology Congress

Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy and seizure disorders are neurological conditions characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which can lead to recurrent, unpredictable seizures. A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that can affect motor skills, sensation, behavior, and consciousness. When these seizures occur repeatedly without an identifiable cause, the condition is termed epilepsy.

Types of Seizures

There are two main categories of seizures:

1. Focal Seizures (also called partial seizures): These originate in one specific area of the brain. They can either affect one part of the body or cause unusual sensations or emotions.

   • Focal aware seizures: The person remains conscious during the seizure.
   • Focal impaired awareness seizures: The person may lose awareness and have impaired consciousness during the seizure.

2. Generalized Seizures: These affect both sides of the brain and typically lead to a loss of consciousness.

   • Tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as grand mal seizures): These involve a stiffening of the body (tonic phase) followed by violent shaking or jerking (clonic phase).
   • Absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal seizures): These involve brief episodes of staring or a loss of awareness, often without physical convulsions.
   • Atonic seizures: These cause a sudden loss of muscle tone, leading to falls.
   • Myoclonic seizures: These involve sudden, brief jerks or twitches of muscles.

Causes of Epilepsy and Seizures

Epilepsy can result from a variety of causes:

• Genetic factors: Certain forms of epilepsy, such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, have a genetic basis.
• Brain injury: Trauma, infections (e.g., meningitis), strokes, or tumors can lead to seizures.
• Neurological diseases: Conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and brain malformations can cause epilepsy.
• Metabolic or systemic disturbances: Low blood sugar, electrolyte imbalances, or high fever (febrile seizures in children) can provoke seizures.
• Drug use or withdrawal: Certain drugs, alcohol, or medication withdrawal can trigger seizures.