Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
New-Onset Focal to Bilateral Tonic-Clonic Seizure Following COVID-19 Vaccination
Chun Seng Phua1,2, Azman Ali Raymond2, Shalini Bhaskar2
1Monash University, Department of Neurosciences, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
A young male experienced new-onset seizures shortly after his first COVID-19 vaccine dose. This case suggests COVID-19 vaccination may unmask an epilepsy predisposition, highlighting the need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Vaccinations are known to be associated with breakthrough seizures in susceptible individuals.
- The neurological side effects of COVID-19 vaccines are still under investigation.
- New-onset epilepsy following vaccination requires careful evaluation to determine potential triggers and underlying conditions.
Abstract:
An 18-year-old male presented with new-onset focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures 5 days after receiving the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 3 days later, an identical seizure occurred lasting 1 min, leading to an acute presentation to the hospital. In hospital, the patient was loaded with intravenous phenytoin and started on levetiracetam with no further seizure recurrence. CT venogram and scalp EEG were unremarkable. MRI brain revealed generalised atrophy with mild bilateral hippocampal atrophy. The patient was maintained on 500 mg levetiracetam twice daily and advised to proceed with subsequent doses of vaccination. Vaccinations have been associated with breakthrough seizures. In this case, COVID-19 vaccination possibly unmasked an underlying predisposition for epilepsy.
More Related Videos
09:16Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: June 21, 2019
06:58Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement
Published on: June 25, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Seizures: Classification
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:
Vaccinations
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists