Absence seizure (also know as "dialeptic seizure" or the
older term "petit mal seizure") -- a seizure that
causes a brief loss of awareness (During an absence seizure, the
patient stops any activity and stares blankly. Rarely, there might
be some blinking.)
Anticonvulsant -- an antiepileptic drug used to control
both convulsive and non-convulsive seizures
Atonic seizure-- a seizure that causes a sudden
loss of muscle tone, particularly in the arms and legs, and often
causes the patient to fall
Aura -- a warning or initial symptom at the beginning
of a seizure, experienced by the patient, but not visible to
observers (Auras might progress to become focal or even generalized
seizures, or they might exist alone.)
Clonic seizure-- repetitive, rhythmic jerks that
involve all or part of the body
Complex partial seizure -- a seizure that includes
impairment of awareness, for example, patients seem to be "out of
it" or "staring into space" (Automatisms or other movements are
frequently a part of the seizure, such as in automotor
seizures.)
Corpus callosum -- a band of nerve fibers located
deep in the brain that connects the two halves (hemispheres) of the
brain (The corpus callosum helps the hemispheres share
information.)
Corpus callosotomy -- an operation that cuts the
corpus callosum and interrupts the spread of seizures from one
hemisphere of the brain to the other (Callosotomies might be
complete, or might involve only a portion of the corpus callosum.
Although seizures generally do not completely stop after this
procedure, they usually become less severe.)
EEG-video monitoring -- continuous simultaneous
recording of brainwaves and video observation of the behavior
accompanying the EEG (This technique, carried out at comprehensive
epilepsy centers, is employed to diagnose epilepsy and localize the
seizure focus. The results are useful to determine therapy, medical
or surgical.)
Electrode -- a conductive disk (usually metal)
attached to the scalp that conveys the electrical activity of the
brain through a wire to an EEG machine (During an
electroencephalogram, typically 21 electrodes are temporarily
pasted to the scalp.)
Electroencephalogram (EEG) -- a diagnostic test that
measures brainwaves, the electrical impulses in the cerebral cortex
(This test helps a physician to diagnose epilepsy.)
Epilepsy -- a chronic medical condition marked by
recurrent epileptic seizures (Patients might have single seizures
as a result of fever, medicine withdrawal, etc., but are not
labeled as having epilepsy if seizures do not recur.)
Epileptogenic zone-- the region of the brain
responsible for the abnormal electrical signals that cause
seizures