Glossary​

Generalized tonic-clonic/grand mal seizures

(jen-rǝ-,līzd tän-i(k)-'klä-nik/grän(d)-,mäl)

  • Formerly known as “grand mal” seizures. This seizure type is what most people think of when they hear the word “seizure”
  • Person loses consciousness or awareness, muscles extend and become rigid, and then jerk rhythmically on both sides of the body

Common search terms:

Focal impaired awareness/complex partial seizures

(fō-kǝl im-'perd ǝ-'wer-nǝs/käm-,pleks pär-shǝl)

  • Used to be called complex partial seizures
  • Person loses awareness, may not respond, and may have no memory of the seizure


Experiences vary, but can include:

Common search terms:

Clonic seizures

(klä-nik)

Common search terms:

Atypical absence seizures

(a-TIP-i-kul/ab-sans)

  • Period of "blanking out" or staring into space as also seen during typical absence seizures
  • Referred to as "atypical" as the person may exhibit small movements such as chewing or lip smacking, and/or finger or hand rubbing
  • May begin and end more gradually compared to typical absence seizures

Common search terms:

Absence/petit mal seizures

(ab-sans/pe-tē-mal)

  • Previously known as petit mal seizures
  • Causes a short period of “blanking out” or staring into space
  • During the seizure, the person's motor symptoms are minimal except for subtle ones such as eyelid flutter
  • Usually affect only a person’s awareness of what is going on at that time, with immediate recovery

Common search terms:

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Autism
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  • Autism is more common in males than females, with an estimated ratio of around 3:1 
Cerebral palsy
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  • Development of movement, muscle tone, and posture can be affected 
Developmental delays
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  • Examples include lack of engagement with age-appropriate toys, speech delays, or other delays identified by a doctor 
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • A diagnostic test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small electrodes attached to the scalp 
  • It is commonly used to detect abnormalities related to epilepsy and other neurological disorders 
Epileptologist
  • A neurologist who has undergone specific training in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy 
  • Epileptologists focus on the management of patients with epilepsy 
Genetic mutation
  • A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene 
  • Some genetic mutations are hereditary, while others occur spontaneously 
  • Certain mutations are linked to specific medical conditions, including some forms of epilepsy 
Immune disorders
  • Disorders that result from a dysfunction in the immune system, which may be overactive or underactive 
  • Some immune disorders are thought to contribute to the development of epilepsy and other neurological conditions 
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS)
  • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a rare form of epilepsy that usually begins in childhood and is associated with multiple kinds of seizures
Metabolic disorders
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  • These disorders can be genetic and may lead to a variety of health issues, including developmental delays and neurological symptoms 
Neurologist
  • A medical specialist who diagnoses, manages, and treats disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, neuromuscular junction, and muscles 
  • Neurologists often serve as the first point of contact for patients with neurological symptoms 
Paroxysmal fast rhythms
  • Paroxysmal fast rhythms, also known as generalized paroxysmal fast activity (GPFA), are patterns of neural activity consisting of 8–26 Hz bursts of generalized rhythmic discharges 
  • Paroxysmal fast rhythms have traditionally been associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome 
Refractory epilepsy
  • May also be referred to as “uncontrolled,” “intractable,” or “drug-resistant” epilepsy 
  • Occurs when a person has failed to become (and stay) seizure free with adequate trials of 2 appropriately selected antiseizure medications 
Refractory Epilepsy Screening Tool for LGS (REST-LGS)
  • A questionnaire-based tool developed by experts to improve both the identification and treatment of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS)
  • Helps providers to assess the likelihood that a patient has LGS based on four major symptoms and four minor features commonly associated with LGS 
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  • Refers to a pattern seen on an electroencephalogram (EEG) characterized by slow, high-amplitude spike-and-wave discharges 
  • This pattern is often associated with specific types of epilepsy, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS)
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
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