Seizure

An epileptic seizure, occasionally referred to as a fit, is defined as a transient symptom of "abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain".

What is a Seizure?

Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In the healthy brain, electrical and chemical signals are fired between nerves called neurons to drive the brain's ability to think, feel and send instructions to parts of the body, such as the muscles. Seizures occur when this electrical system in the brain malfunctions.

Epileptic Seizure Symptoms

Epileptic Seizure Diagnosis

Epileptic Seizure Causes

Epileptic Seizure Management

Latest Seizure News and Research

Exploring how gene variants affect brain cells in children with severe epilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures.

16 Apr 2024

Electroconvulsive Therapy found to be safe and effective treatment for some mental illnesses

Researchers have found that Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), where an electric current is passed through the brain, can reduce the severity of mental illnesses.

9 Apr 2024

Structured 'seizure action plan' can help patients with epilepsy to safely manage emergencies

A new 16-week study of 204 adult epilepsy patients found that 98% of participants believe that all patients with epilepsy should have a seizure action plan (SAP), regardless of seizure status.

5 Apr 2024

Ketogenic diet offers hope for infants with drug-resistant epilepsy

A ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, shows promise as an alternative treatment option for infants with drug-resistant epilepsy, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH).

4 Apr 2024

Transformative epilepsy surgery gives artist new lease on life

Artist Syril Strickler was 47 when she had her first epileptic seizure, waking up in the hospital after neighbors found her unconscious in the street.

28 Mar 2024

Assistance dogs may detect PTSD flashbacks via breath

Dogs' sensitive noses can detect the early warning signs of many potentially dangerous medical situations, like an impending seizure or sudden hypoglycemia.

28 Mar 2024

Novel treatment approach to halt epilepsy progression identified

Only a very small percentage of neurons show changes after an epileptic seizure in mice, but these alterations can be permanent and trigger future seizures that can affect the whole brain and lead to impaired cognition, like memory and learning, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

22 Mar 2024

Researchers develop a cost-effective method to spatially characterize and map brain epigenomes

An estimated one in six people suffer from a brain disorder worldwide, according to the American Brain Foundation.

20 Mar 2024

MRI and lumbar puncture may not be necessary for managing CAR T-cell associated toxicities

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture (LP) may not always be necessary for diagnosing and managing a serious neurological complication associated with CAR T-cell therapy, according to a new Blood Advances study.

19 Mar 2024

New method developed for triggering and imaging seizures in epilepsy patients

Researchers have developed a new method for triggering and imaging seizures in epilepsy patients, offering physicians the ability to collect real-time data to tailor epilepsy surgery.

11 Mar 2024

Study reveals surge of a neural-specific protein as the earliest-yet biomarker for Alzheimer's disease

A surge of a neural-specific protein in the brain is the earliest-yet biomarker for Alzheimer's disease, report University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers studying a mouse model of the disease.

6 Mar 2024

Is posttraumatic epilepsy associated with long-term dementia risk?

The associations between dementia risk and PTE.

1 Mar 2024

Is posttraumatic epilepsy associated with long-term dementia risk?

The associations between post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and the risk of dementia.

29 Feb 2024

Seizure assistance dogs offer hope for people with drug-resistant epilepsy

For people with drug-resistant epilepsy, having a dog companion trained in detecting seizures and other epilepsy-related tasks may reduce the amount of seizures they have, according to new research published in the February 28, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

28 Feb 2024

Neuroscientists uncover surprising role of glia in regulating neuronal responses in the brain

Neuroscientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found that an often-overlooked type of brain cell called glia has more of a role in brain function than previously thought.

28 Feb 2024

Blocking artery plus surgery offers hope for reducing reoperations in brain hematoma patients

Injection of a substance to block an artery feeding the dura (protective sack around the brain) along with surgery to remove pooled blood reduced the risk that patients will require repeat surgery compared to surgical drainage alone, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2024.

9 Feb 2024