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Krembil Neuroscience Centre (KNC)
Epilepsy - A to Z Glossary
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This is not an exhaustive list, but includes some of the terminology commonly used in the assessment and treatment of epilepsy:
Complex partial seizure
A seizure in which there is a loss of awareness and the person appears dazed and confused. The person will exhibit meaningless behaviours such as random walking, mumbling, head turning, or pulling at clothing. The person cannot recall these behaviours after the seizure.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes signals to be sent improperly from the brain. These confused signals cause seizures (involuntary sensations, movements or convulsions). Epilepsy can begin at any age and can be caused by brain damage or injury, abnormal brain development or an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.
Febrile seizures
Seizures caused by high fever in children.
Generalized absence seizure
A seizure that is characterized by a 5 to 15 seconds of lapsed consciousness where the person appears to be staring into space and his/her eyes may roll upwards.
Seizures
Involuntary movements or convulsions.
Simple partial seizure
A seizure in which a person experiences a range of strange or unusual sensations, such as sudden jerky movements of one body part, distortions in sight or smell, a sudden sense of fear or anxiety, stomach discomfort, or dizziness.
