| Type of Seizure |
General Manifestation |
Onset Signs |
Consciousness |
Routine (Non-Seizure) EEGObservations |
| Simple Partial (focal motor) |
Localized (depending onaffected brain region)jerking beginning in asmall anatomical area(e.g. hand) andprogressing to thesurrounding region (e.g.arm). |
Sensorimotor,
autonomic, or
psychic
symptoms
depending on
the location of
abnormal
neuronal
synchrony |
Not
Impaired |
Focal slowing
and/or sharp-
wave activity |
Complex
Partial
(temporal lobe
or
psychomotor) |
Same as Simple Partial |
None, or with
sensorimotor,
autonomic, or
psychic
symptoms |
Impaired,
often
followed by
temporary
confusion |
Focal slowing
and/or sharp-
wave activity |
Secondary
Generalized
Partial (tonic-
clonic or
grand mal) |
Same as Simple Partial,
except that the seizure
progresses further,
causing patients to fall,
rigidly extend extremities
(“tonic phase”), and then
convulse (“clonic phase”). |
Sensorimotor,
autonomic, or
psychic
symptoms |
Lost, often
followed by
coma and
slow
recovery |
Focal slowing
and/or sharp-
wave activity |
(Generalized)
Absence
(petit mal) |
All motor activity stops,
with minor exceptions
such as eye blinking, but
do not fall nor exhibit
convulsive (“tonic-clonic”)
movements. |
None, or
hyperventilati
on (which can
precipitate
seizure) |
Brief period
of
unresponsi
veness
(often 10
seconds) |
3 Hz spike-wave
pattern |
Primarily
Generalized
Tonic-Clonic
(grand mal) |
Forced contraction of
muscles for 30s (“tonic
phase”), often causing
patients to fall and
become cyanotic (blue).
Jerking of extremities
follows for 1-2 min (“clonic
phase”). Sleepiness and
soreness follow
convulsions. |
None, or
myoclonic
jerks |
Lost, often
followed by
coma and
slow
recovery |
3-5 Hz spike-
wave pattern |
