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,...

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...

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.

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Reply to "Demographic Confounding and Model Robustness in the Prognostic Evaluation of NMDAR Encephalitis Glycoprofiles".

Annals of neurology·2026

Same author

Relapses, Comorbidities, and Predictors of Outcome in Anti-GABA<sub>A</sub> Receptor Encephalitis.

Annals of neurology·2026

Same author

Can We Predict Adductor Strain? A Predictive Analysis of a Major League Soccer (MLS) Cohort Spanning from 2019 to 2022.

Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology·2026

Same author

Complications, outcomes, and implications of a prolonged vegetative state in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a retrospective international cohort study.

The Lancet. Neurology·2026

Same author

Measuring Life-Space of Older Adults in Senior Living Communities: Real-Time Location Tracking and Self-Report.

Research in gerontological nursing·2026

Same author

CSF-Compartmentalized Antibody Glycoprofiles in NMDAR Encephalitis Associate with Etiology and Functional Recovery.

Annals of neurology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

Published on: April 5, 2011

Autoimmunity, seizures, and status epilepticus.

Rebecca Davis¹, Josep Dalmau

¹Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.

|September 5, 2013

Summary

Autoimmune encephalitis, linked to antibodies targeting neuronal proteins, offers new insights into epilepsy causes. This discovery provides treatable options for seizures previously thought to be viral or idiopathic.

Keywords:

Autoimmune Encephalitis Epilepsy Seizures Status epilepticus

More Related Videos

Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: June 21, 2019

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

Published on: April 5, 2011

Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: June 21, 2019

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroimmunology
Neurology

Background:

Autoimmune encephalitis is a newly identified category of neurological disorders.
These conditions are associated with antibodies targeting neuronal cell-surface and synaptic proteins.
This discovery has shifted the understanding of epilepsy and seizures.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the novel category of autoimmune encephalitis.
To discuss classical paraneoplastic syndromes causing seizures.
To highlight treatable autoimmune-related neurological syndromes.

Main Methods:

Literature review of autoimmune encephalitis.
Analysis of paraneoplastic syndromes associated with seizures.
Synthesis of current understanding in neuroimmunology.

Main Results:

Autoimmune encephalitis presents a treatable cause of seizures and status epilepticus.
These syndromes were previously misdiagnosed as viral or idiopathic.
Paraneoplastic syndromes represent another significant autoimmune cause of seizures.

Conclusions:

Autoimmune encephalitis represents a paradigm shift in diagnosing and managing seizure disorders.
Identification of specific antibodies allows for targeted therapies.
Autoimmune disorders are increasingly recognized as key contributors to epilepsy.