Identifying Seizures
It is often hard to distinguish seizure types. This information is for educational purposes only, and should not take the place of seizure typing by video EEG through a certified epileptologist.
Absence Seizures (click for details)
These seizures are most often diagnosed because of their tendency to appear as brief generalized epileptic seizures with sudden onset and termination. Characterized by the impairment of consciousness, thus absence.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Atonic Seizures (click for details)
Atonic seizures are diagnosed by the sudden loss of tone to the head, or even postural muscles. Prolonged atonic seizures can cause loss of consciousness, which is quickly regained.
Video 1
Atypical Absence Seizure (click for details)
Similar to a typical absence seizure, the subject will stare, but still be somewhat responsive. Eye fluttering and lip jerks are common. This kind of seizure is also trademark of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Video 1
Clonic seizures (click for details)
This type of seizure is typically described as generalized clonic contractions jerking the body, without the tonic phase. May occur on one side of the body and is said to be a focal clonic or hemi-clonic seizure, as in this video.
Gelastic Seizures (click for details)
These seizures are identified by a sudden outburst of emotion, in many cases, laughter.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Infantile Spasms (click for details)
Infantile spasms (also called West syndrome because it was first described by Dr. William James West, in the 1840s) consist of a sudden jerk followed by stiffening. Often the arms are flung out as the knees are pulled up and the body bends forward (“jackknife seizures”). Less often, the head can be thrown back as the body and legs stiffen in a straight-out position, or movements can be more subtle and limited to the neck or other body parts. Each seizure lasts only a second or two but they usually occur close together in a series. Sometimes the spasms are mistaken for colic, but the cramps of colic do not occur in a series.
Infantile spasms are most common just after waking up and rarely occur during sleep.
Video1
Massive Bilateral Myoclonus (click for details)
This type of seizure is identified by a single or burst of axial jerks that most frequently only affect the upper body, however, it is possible for this type of seizure to affect the whole body. This is the most common type of seizure in benign and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Dravet syndrome.
We apologize as we currently do not have a sample video at this time.
Myoclonic Seizure (click for details)
Myoclonic seizures or twitches are brief contractions, or relaxations, of a muscle or muscle group, resulting in a sudden, jumpy movement
Video1
These seizures are most often diagnosed because of their tendency to appear as brief generalized epileptic seizures with sudden onset and termination. Characterized by the impairment of consciousness, thus absence.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Atonic seizures are diagnosed by the sudden loss of tone to the head, or even postural muscles. Prolonged atonic seizures can cause loss of consciousness, which is quickly regained.
Video 1
Atypical Absence Seizure (click for details)
Similar to a typical absence seizure, the subject will stare, but still be somewhat responsive. Eye fluttering and lip jerks are common. This kind of seizure is also trademark of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Video 1
Clonic seizures (click for details)
This type of seizure is typically described as generalized clonic contractions jerking the body, without the tonic phase. May occur on one side of the body and is said to be a focal clonic or hemi-clonic seizure, as in this video.
Gelastic Seizures (click for details)
These seizures are identified by a sudden outburst of emotion, in many cases, laughter.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Infantile Spasms (click for details)
Infantile spasms (also called West syndrome because it was first described by Dr. William James West, in the 1840s) consist of a sudden jerk followed by stiffening. Often the arms are flung out as the knees are pulled up and the body bends forward (“jackknife seizures”). Less often, the head can be thrown back as the body and legs stiffen in a straight-out position, or movements can be more subtle and limited to the neck or other body parts. Each seizure lasts only a second or two but they usually occur close together in a series. Sometimes the spasms are mistaken for colic, but the cramps of colic do not occur in a series.
Infantile spasms are most common just after waking up and rarely occur during sleep.
Video1
Massive Bilateral Myoclonus (click for details)
This type of seizure is identified by a single or burst of axial jerks that most frequently only affect the upper body, however, it is possible for this type of seizure to affect the whole body. This is the most common type of seizure in benign and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Dravet syndrome.
We apologize as we currently do not have a sample video at this time.
Myoclonic Seizure (click for details)
Myoclonic seizures or twitches are brief contractions, or relaxations, of a muscle or muscle group, resulting in a sudden, jumpy movement
Video1
Similar to a typical absence seizure, the subject will stare, but still be somewhat responsive. Eye fluttering and lip jerks are common. This kind of seizure is also trademark of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Video 1
This type of seizure is typically described as generalized clonic contractions jerking the body, without the tonic phase. May occur on one side of the body and is said to be a focal clonic or hemi-clonic seizure, as in this video.
Gelastic Seizures (click for details)
These seizures are identified by a sudden outburst of emotion, in many cases, laughter.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Infantile Spasms (click for details)
Infantile spasms (also called West syndrome because it was first described by Dr. William James West, in the 1840s) consist of a sudden jerk followed by stiffening. Often the arms are flung out as the knees are pulled up and the body bends forward (“jackknife seizures”). Less often, the head can be thrown back as the body and legs stiffen in a straight-out position, or movements can be more subtle and limited to the neck or other body parts. Each seizure lasts only a second or two but they usually occur close together in a series. Sometimes the spasms are mistaken for colic, but the cramps of colic do not occur in a series.
Infantile spasms are most common just after waking up and rarely occur during sleep.
Video1
Massive Bilateral Myoclonus (click for details)
This type of seizure is identified by a single or burst of axial jerks that most frequently only affect the upper body, however, it is possible for this type of seizure to affect the whole body. This is the most common type of seizure in benign and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Dravet syndrome.
We apologize as we currently do not have a sample video at this time.
Myoclonic Seizure (click for details)
Myoclonic seizures or twitches are brief contractions, or relaxations, of a muscle or muscle group, resulting in a sudden, jumpy movement
Video1
These seizures are identified by a sudden outburst of emotion, in many cases, laughter.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Infantile spasms (also called West syndrome because it was first described by Dr. William James West, in the 1840s) consist of a sudden jerk followed by stiffening. Often the arms are flung out as the knees are pulled up and the body bends forward (“jackknife seizures”). Less often, the head can be thrown back as the body and legs stiffen in a straight-out position, or movements can be more subtle and limited to the neck or other body parts. Each seizure lasts only a second or two but they usually occur close together in a series. Sometimes the spasms are mistaken for colic, but the cramps of colic do not occur in a series.
Infantile spasms are most common just after waking up and rarely occur during sleep.
Video1
Massive Bilateral Myoclonus (click for details)
This type of seizure is identified by a single or burst of axial jerks that most frequently only affect the upper body, however, it is possible for this type of seizure to affect the whole body. This is the most common type of seizure in benign and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Dravet syndrome.
We apologize as we currently do not have a sample video at this time.
Myoclonic Seizure (click for details)
Myoclonic seizures or twitches are brief contractions, or relaxations, of a muscle or muscle group, resulting in a sudden, jumpy movement
Video1
This type of seizure is identified by a single or burst of axial jerks that most frequently only affect the upper body, however, it is possible for this type of seizure to affect the whole body. This is the most common type of seizure in benign and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Dravet syndrome.
We apologize as we currently do not have a sample video at this time.
Myoclonic seizures or twitches are brief contractions, or relaxations, of a muscle or muscle group, resulting in a sudden, jumpy movement
Video1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8QAg-wdl-s&feature=related
Neocortical Temporal Lobe Seizures (click for details)
These relatively rare seizures begin with an aura of a rising epigastric sensation and then move to oro-alimentary and manual automatisms. Initial symptoms include hallucinations and vertigo.
As these seizures are defined by EEGs and patient symptoms that vary between each patient, no videos are available.
Tonic-Clonic Seizures (click for details)
Tonic-Clonic Seizures are identified as a seizure involving the entire body, usually involving: muscle rigidity, violent muscle contractions, and loss of consciousness. They may occur at any age, as a single episode, or as a chronic condition.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Tonic Seizures (click for details)
Muscle tone is greatly increased in a tonic seizure, while consciousness is often preserved. Arms will often rise above the head. This kind of seizure is also common in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Video 1
These relatively rare seizures begin with an aura of a rising epigastric sensation and then move to oro-alimentary and manual automatisms. Initial symptoms include hallucinations and vertigo.
As these seizures are defined by EEGs and patient symptoms that vary between each patient, no videos are available.
Tonic-Clonic Seizures are identified as a seizure involving the entire body, usually involving: muscle rigidity, violent muscle contractions, and loss of consciousness. They may occur at any age, as a single episode, or as a chronic condition.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Tonic Seizures (click for details)
Muscle tone is greatly increased in a tonic seizure, while consciousness is often preserved. Arms will often rise above the head. This kind of seizure is also common in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Video 1
Muscle tone is greatly increased in a tonic seizure, while consciousness is often preserved. Arms will often rise above the head. This kind of seizure is also common in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Video 1
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Clinical Trials
- [+] Click here for list of clinical trials in Childhood Epilepsy taking place outside the United States.
- Combined Role of PET and MEG in Non-Lesional Epilepsy
- Combined Role of PET and MEG in Non-Lesional Epilepsy
- Efficacy and Safety of Adjunctive Zonisamide in Paediatric Partial Onset Seizures (CATZ Study)
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate (BIA 2 093) as Therapy for Refractory Partial Seizures in Children
- Exploration of Genotype Based Personalized Prescription for Valproate
- Genetic Basis of Idiopathic Focal Epilepsies with Cognitive Deficits (France - not yet recruiting)
- Lamotrigine vs Levitiracetam as Initial Monotherapy in Epilepsy
- Levitiracetam in children with partial epilepsy
- Modified Atkins Diet in Children with Epilepsy
- National Organization for Rare Diseases
- Scholar Performance and Praxis Assessment in Children With Rolandic Epilepsy
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) As A Tool For Prospective Responder Identification Before Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Implantation
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Anti-Epileptic Effect
- Trial of Melatonin to Improve Sleep in Children with Epilepsy and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- [+] Click here for a list of current and upcoming clinical trials for Childhood Epilepsy in the United States.
- A Study on the Effectiveness and Safety of Diazepam Injection (Vanquix™) for Patients With Epilepsy
- Athena Diagnostics
- Charlie Foundation
- Citizens United to Research Epilepsy
- Coping Skills Training for Children with Chronic Health Conditions
- Dravet Syndrome Foundation
- Epilepsy Therapy Project
- Evaluation and Treatments of Patients with Epilepsy
- Evaluation of Functional MRI and DTI (Imaging Techniques) in Children With Epilepsy and Focal Brain Lesions
- Everolimus (RAD001) Therapy for Epilepsy in Patients With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)
- Genetics of Rolandic Epilepsy
- Human Epilepsy Genetics-Neuronal Migrations Disorder Study
- Language Mapping in Patients with Epilepsy
- Long term study to assess Safety and Efficacy of Oxcarbazepine Extended Release in Children
- Matthew's Friends
- Muir Maxwell Trust
- Open label Pharmacokinetic study of Brivaracetam in Children with Epilepsy
- Open label to Assess safety of Lacosamide Therapy as Add On for GTC seizures
- P-Glycoprotein Inhibition as Adjunct Therapy for Patients with Medically Refractory Epilepsy
- Pilot study of melatoning and Refractory Epilepsy
- RE Children's Project
- Remote Tracking for Epilepsy Patients
- Safety and Tolerability of Pregabalin in Pediatrics with Partial Onset Seizures
- Search for Genes Influencing Childhood Absence Epilepsy
- Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Oxcarbazepine Extended Release in Children with Refractory Partial Epilepsy
- The Epilepsy Phenome Genome Project
- The Safety of Intravenous Lacosamide
- Tubular Sclerosis Alliance