Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

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:

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.

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Interictal epileptiform discharges in calcified neurocysticercosis-associated epilepsy: An exploratory study.

Epilepsia·2026

Same author

Diagnostic accuracy of multimodal large language models in differentiating epileptic from functional seizures in smartphone recorded videos.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Occipital lobe epilepsy presenting as content-specific reading-induced seizures.

Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape·2026

Same author

Subcortical Stimulation for Functional Brain Mapping: A Systematic Review.

Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society·2026

Same author

Reframing Electroencephalography for Liver Transplantation: A Perioperative Perspective.

Anesthesia and analgesia·2026

Same author

Assessing an fMRI-guided titration paradigm for microburst VNS therapy.

Epilepsy research·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients

Published on: December 18, 2016

Temporal lobe seizures triggering recurrent syncope by ictal asystole.

Parrish Winesett¹, Carlos A Feliciano, William O Tatum

¹Department of Neurology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612-127, USA.

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B

|October 22, 2008

Summary

This case study highlights a rare epilepsy complication: seizures causing cardiac asystole. An atonic phase during seizures is a key indicator of this potentially dangerous condition.

More Related Videos

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients

Published on: December 18, 2016

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Neurology
Cardiology
Epileptology

Background:

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
Complex partial seizures originate in one hemisphere of the brain.
Asystole is a life-threatening condition where the heart stops beating.

Observation:

A patient with left temporal lobe epilepsy experienced recurrent complex partial seizures.
These seizures were associated with episodes of asystole (cardiac arrest).
The asystole led to syncope and apparent secondary generalization of seizures.

Findings:

The patient's posturing and myoclonus during syncope mimicked generalized seizures.
A distinct atonic phase was observed, interrupting the transition to apparent generalization.
This atonic phase is a critical diagnostic clue for ictal asystole.

Implications:

Ictal asystole can be misdiagnosed as secondary generalization, leading to inappropriate treatment.
Video/EEG monitoring is crucial for detecting the subtle signs of ictal asystole.
Recognizing the atonic phase can guide surgical evaluation and management in epilepsy patients.