SELECTED EPILEPSY TERMS

                                 


Aura           A generic term for a warning. A colloquial term for simple partial
               seizure. Used indiscriminately for many types of spells (simple or
               complex partial seizure, myoclonic seizures of Juvenile Myoclonic
               Epilepsy)

Anticonvulsant A drug used to treat convulsions (tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic    
               seizures) either acutely or chronically. Not synonymous with
               antiepileptic drug.

Antiepileptic  A drug used to treat the chronic condition of Epilepsy. Not 
Drug (AED)     synonymous with anticonvulsant. Non-intravenous route.

Automatism     A purposeful, but irrelevant, activity during or shortly following a
               seizure. The spectrum of these activities is wide, but follow general
               rules of stereotypy and short duration. Not premeditated, or     
               requiring higher cognitive functions. Not directed violence.

Epilepsy       A clinical paroxysmal disorder of recurring seizures, excluding
               alcohol or drug withdrawal seizures or such recurring exogenous
               events as repeated insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Recurring
               seizures from brain tumors or strokes is epilepsy.

Grand Mal      The French term used in the 1800's to describe a big spell. Still
               used today to describe most seizures (complex partial, convulsive,
               atonic).

Myoclonic      A single extensor movement of a limb. Only infants can have flexor
               myoclonic seizures.

Petit Mal      The French term used in the 1800's to describe a small spell. Still
               used today to describe absence seizures (as well as atypical
               absence, simple partial, myoclonic).

Seizure        An abnormal firing of cerebral neurons, which may or may not
               have a clinical manifestation. Electrographically, a pattern of
               seconds to minutes which has a beginning and end and undergoes
               a transition (exception is a myoclonic seizure). Excludes status and
               physiologic states such as sleep.



Status         A pathological state different from a single seizure by the absence
Epilepticus    or reduction of inhibitory processes to terminate the seizure.
               Applies to any seizure type. The length of time required to      
               differentiate seizure from status is both empirical and practical.
               Convulsive, myoclonic status: 10-30 minutes. Longer in complex
               partial or "absence" status since the diagnosis is dependent on
               clinical suspicion and EEG.

Tonic          Sustained contraction of one or more muscle groups, independent
               of position (i.e. can be flexed, extended, or opisthotonic).