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Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

Seizures: Classification

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...

Seizures l: Introduction

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...

Epilepsy ll: Types

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement

Published on: June 25, 2016

Focal paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis presenting as orgasmic epilepsy.

C E Fadul¹, E W Stommel, K H Dragnev

¹Department of Medicine Sections of Hematology/Oncology and Neurology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, USA. camilo.e.fadul@hitchcock.org

Journal of Neuro-Oncology

|June 1, 2005

Summary

Orgasmic epilepsy can be an early sign of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, a rare autoimmune disorder linked to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Prompt diagnosis and treatment of SCLC may improve outcomes for this neurological condition.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Oncology
Immunology

Background:

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is an autoimmune disorder often associated with occult malignancies.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a known cause of PLE, presenting with diverse neurological symptoms.

Observation:

A 57-year-old woman presented with orgasmic epilepsy, characterized by brief, pleasurable sensations.
She had a history of weight loss and heavy smoking, leading to the diagnosis of SCLC.

Findings:

Brain MRI revealed abnormalities in the left temporal lobe, and EEG showed focal sharp waves.
Serum anti-Hu antibodies confirmed PLE, and seizures resolved with carbamazepine.
Treatment of SCLC with chemotherapy and radiation led to complete remission.

Implications:

Orgasmic epilepsy can be a presenting symptom of PLE, aiding in the diagnosis of underlying SCLC.
Early detection and management of SCLC may positively impact the prognosis of PLE.
This case highlights the importance of considering paraneoplastic syndromes in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms.