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

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.

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,...

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia to sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy: A critical review.

Epilepsia·2024

Same author

Semiology and Neurophysiology of Clonic Seizures: A Report of 39 Patients.

Neurology. Clinical practice·2024

Same author

Distinction between epileptic and non-epileptic arousal by heart rate change.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B·2023

Same author

Bilateral tonic seizures vs. bilateral tonic events in critically ill patients: differences in semiology.

Seizure·2023

Same author

Spectrum of motor responses elicited by electrical stimulation of primary motor cortex: A polygraphic study in patients with epilepsy.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B·2023

Same author

A descriptive study of eye and head movements in versive seizures.

Seizure·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 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

Hypnopompic seizures.

Amer M Awad¹, Hans O Lüders

¹Neurological Institute, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. ameraldo@gmail.com

Epileptic Disorders : International Epilepsy Journal with Videotape

|October 30, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces "hypnopompic seizures," subtle epileptic seizures manifesting as sleep arousal. Increased awareness is crucial for diagnosing these often-missed events in epilepsy patients.

More Related Videos

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Published on: June 11, 2020

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 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

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Published on: June 11, 2020

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

Area of Science:

Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Epileptology

Background:

The interplay between epilepsy and sleep is complex and bidirectional.
Ictal awakening is a recognized phenomenon during epileptic seizures.
Subtle seizure manifestations can be challenging to diagnose.

Observation:

This observational study identifies arousal from sleep as the primary or sole symptom of certain epileptic seizures.
The term "hypnopompic seizures" is proposed for this specific seizure type.
Five patients with intractable epilepsy underwent continuous video-electroencephalogram monitoring.

Findings:

Four patients had left temporal lobe epilepsy; one had generalized epilepsy.
Hypnopompic seizures constituted 30-100% of captured seizure types in these patients.
All observed hypnopompic seizures occurred during stage II sleep and were brief.

Implications:

Hypnopompic seizures are subtle and likely underdiagnosed/underreported.
Further research is needed to understand the neuropathophysiology of these seizures.
Increased awareness among epileptologists, physicians, patients, and families is vital for accurate diagnosis and management.