Temporal lobe seizure

Definition

This type of seizure involves a temporary movement disturbance that often involves a change in a person's behavior, unusual sensations, or various other symptoms. It arises from abnormal electrical activity in the temporal lobe on one or both sides of the brain.

Alternative Names

Causes

A seizure is an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can involve loss of consciousness or reduction of consciousness, involuntary movements, and overwhelming sensations.

Temporal lobe seizures can affect people of any age, and can occur as a single episode or can be repeated as part of a chronic (ongoing) condition. (See seizure disorder).

Information in the brain is transmitted from nerve cell to nerve cell by an electrochemical process. Certain patterns of electrical activity can cause seizures, which are episodes during which electrical signals spread in abnormal patterns within the brain. This process can be detected by an electroencephalograph (EEG).

Given the right conditions (such as exposure to certain drugs, high fever, or electrical stimulation), anyone can have a seizure.

Temporal lobe seizures commonly result from damage to specific areas in the temporal lobe of the brain. This damage includes scarring, called mesial temporal sclerosis. Causes can include traumatic injury, infection, damage to a portion of the temporal lobe due to lack of oxygen, brain tumors, genetic syndromes, and lesions of any sort.

Because the temporal lobe is involved in processing emotion and sensations, seizures in this area may begin with feelings of fear, feelings of joy (sometimes with religious associations and the sensation of a "presence"), recall of certain music, or smells and other unusual symptoms.

References

Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003.

Marx J. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.