Seizure

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A sudden, temporally restricted, involuntary change in behaviour, caused by abnormal electrical discharge of neurons in the central nervous system, and characterized by alterations in motor activity or CONSCIOUSNESS. The precise symptoms depend on the location and extent of structures involved.

For example, abnormal electrical activity in SENSORIMOTOR cortex may produce symptoms of motor dysfunction or HALLUCINATION. Seizures may be the result of diseased neurons, most commonly in EPILEPSY, but can occur as a result of acute neuronal injury. In animals, stimulating certain regions of the brain, in which GLUTAMATERGIC transmission is prominent, such as AMYGDALA and HIPPOCAMPUS, results in strong seizure activity. This process is called KINDLING.

See also: absence seizure; epilepsy; generalized seizure; grand mal seizure; kindling; partial seizure; petit mal seizure

FIONA M.INGLIS

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