Seizures are paroxysmal manifestations of the electrical properties of the cerebral cortex. In partial seizures, the excess neuronal discharge occurs in one cerebral cortex, and most often results from structural abnormalities revised terminology for partial seizures has been proposed in this system, partial seizures are called focal seizures. In generalized seizures, the aberrant electrical discharge diffusely involves the entire cortex of both hemispheres from the onset, and consciousness is usually lost generalized seizures result most often from metabolic disorders and sometimes from genetic disorders. Evaluating a child’s brain activity and behavioral activity via EEG | CHOC Children’s Seizures are classified as generalized or partial. A seizure is an abnormal, unregulated electrical discharge that occurs within the brain’s cortical gray matter and transiently interrupts normal brain function a seizure typically causes altered awareness, abnormal sensations, focal involuntary movements, or convulsions (widespread violent involuntary contraction of voluntary muscles).Hippocrates wrote the first book about epilepsy almost 2500 years ago he rejected ideas regarding the divine etiology of epilepsy and concluded that the cause was excessive phlegm leading to abnormal brain consistency.One of the earliest descriptions of a secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure was recorded over 3000 years ago in Mesopotamia the seizure was attributed to the god of the moon.
Epilepsy is defined as a brain disorder characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition.What is Seizure? Medical illustration of a brain with epilepsy | Mayo