Glossary of LGS-related words
Learning about Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a challenging task. Information
from your healthcare provider and on the Web includes a lot of words and phrases
that are unfamiliar to most people. Here we list some of the most frequently encountered
and provide definitions that should help you in your research.
atonic seizures – Also called "drop attacks," these seizures cause
brief loss of muscle tone. Abrupt falls from these seizures is common.
atypical absence seizures – Seizures marked by staring spells and
lack of response. The person having the seizure may blink or have a slight twitching
at the lips. There may be some responsiveness. Staring spells can be difficult to
spot, especially in the developmentally disabled.
complex partial seizures – Usually lasting between 30 seconds and
a couple of minutes, these seizures can affect alertness and awareness. Even though
the person may make movements that seem to have purpose, it is possible that they
are not aware of what they are doing.
corpus callosotomy – In this surgery, doctors cut the corpus callosom
(which connects the two hemispheres of the brain. This helps prevent epileptic seizures
in one part of the brain from affecting both sides.
electroencephalography (EEG) – A safe, painless test for diagnosing
epilepsy. The EEG records electrical activity in the brain. Small, metal disks are
attached to the scalp and connected by wires to an EEG machine. The machine records
brain activity as a series of lines, each related to a different part of the brain.
infantile spasms – Also known as West syndrome, these seizures
start in children between 3 and 12 months old and stop between the ages of 2 to
4. They begin with a sudden jerk and muscle stiffening. Often the arms are stretched
out and the knees pull up. Seizures often occur in a series.
myocolonic seizures – Sudden muscle jerks that last for only a
second. Sometimes many will occur in a row. They can be quite strong and difficult
to control. In people with LGS, these seizures often occur in the neck, upper arms,
and shoulders. They can also be found in the face.
partial seizures – Partial seizures only list for a couple of minutes.
Although they differ from person to person, these seizures have one thing in common:
the person having the seizure remains alert and remembers what happened.
secondarily generalized convulsions – Usually beginning as partial
seizures, these seizures spread throughout the brain (becoming generalized). They
last only a few minutes.
status epilepticus – Continuous tonic-clonic seizures or recurring
seizures so frequent that the person having them cannot recover. Seizures lasting
for more than 5 minutes are at risk of status epilepticus and should be considered
a medical emergency. Brain damage is likely if the seizures continue for more than
30 minutes.
tonic seizures – Also called “drop attacks,” these seizures
show muscle stiffening, dilation of the pupils, and altered respiratory patterns.
Tonic seizures usually last less than 20 seconds. Tonic seizures in people with
LGS may become harder to control over time.
tonic-clonic seizures – Formerly known as grand mal seizures, this
type of seizure is what most people think of when they think of epilepsy. A tonic-clonic
seizure usually begins with muscles tightening or locking up, often causing a fall.
Unconsciousness follows, along with jerking of the limbs. After seizures stop, the
person may experience confusion and fall asleep. Episodes last 1 to 3 minutes.
vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) – Passing electrical impulses along
the vagus nerve to help control epileptic seizures. Short bursts of electrical energy
are directed into the brain through the vagus nerve. The energy comes from a battery
that is surgically implanted under the skin in the chest.
West syndrome – See infantile spasms.