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 and consciousness. 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 – Seizures that 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.