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Related Concept Videos

Seizures l: Introduction01:20

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,...
Subconsciousness and No Awareness01:15

Subconsciousness and No Awareness

The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
Seizures ll: Types01:19

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: Classification01:13

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:
Understanding Consciousness01:23

Understanding Consciousness

Consciousness can be defined as the state of being aware of and able to think about one's existence, sensations, and surroundings. It encompasses two major components: awareness and arousal. Awareness pertains to the recognition of environmental stimuli and internal states. At the same time, arousal refers to the physiological readiness to engage with these stimuli, which varies significantly between states like sleep and wakefulness.
Sleep, a crucial state, is characterized by reduced physical...
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

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...

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SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients
11:05

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

Published on: February 6, 2021

Consciousness in non-epileptic attack disorder.

Markus Reuber1, M Kurthen

  • 1Academic Neurology Unit, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. markus.reuber@sth.nhs.uk

Behavioural Neurology
|March 31, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD) involves variable consciousness impairments, often less severe than epilepsy. Phenomenal experience and wakefulness are typically reduced, not completely lost, in non-epileptic attacks (NEAs).

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Published on: July 11, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD) is a critical differential diagnosis for epilepsy.
  • Impairment of consciousness is a defining characteristic of non-epileptic attacks (NEAs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinical literature on consciousness in NEAD.
  • To contextualize NEAD consciousness findings within broader neuroscience and philosophy of mind discourse.
  • To propose a nuanced framework for studying consciousness, differentiating level, content, phenomenal, and access consciousness.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical research on NEAD and consciousness.
  • Analysis of existing evidence on the variability of NEA experiences.
  • Integration of findings with contemporary theories of consciousness.

Main Results:

  • Significant intra- and interindividual variability in NEA subjective experiences.
  • Phenomenal experience and wakefulness are generally less impaired in NEAs compared to conscious-impaired epileptic seizures.
  • Complete loss of consciousness is rare in NEAs; overestimation by patients and observers is common.

Conclusions:

  • A refined understanding of consciousness, distinguishing phenomenal and access aspects, is crucial for studying NEAD.
  • Clinical presentations of NEAs often involve partial rather than complete loss of consciousness.
  • Further research should incorporate detailed phenomenological and neuroscientific approaches to NEAD consciousness.