Terminology

Seizure: an uncontrolled, paroxysmal neuronal discharge in any part of the brain; it may cause physical or mental symptoms and may be convulsive or nonconvulsive Convulsion: involuntary contraction of body muscles Epilepsy: two or more unprovoked, recurrent seizures. Seventy-five percent of epilepsy is primary (idiopathic); 25% is secondary to another CNS disorder.1 Simple seizure: no alteration of consciousness Complex seizure: alteration of consciousness Status epilepticus: epileptic seizures that last more than 30 minutes or occur so frequently that consciousness is not restored between seizures