Table 1.
Major changes of terminology and concepts in classification of epilepsies and seizures
| Old terms and concepts etiology | New terms and concepts |
|---|---|
| Idiopathic-possible genetic | Genetic: Genetic defect directly cause epilepsy and seizures are cardinal symptoms of epilepsy |
| Symptomatic: Due to known or possible brain disease | Structural-Metabolic: Disease as a result of structural or metabolic damage of brain |
| Cryptogenic: Possible symptomatic | Unknown causes: Due to unknown and genetic-structural or metabolic causes |
| SEIZURES | |
| Generalized: First changes show bilateral hemispheric involvement at the beginning | Generalized: As arising in and rapidly engaging bilaterally distributed networks |
| Focal: First changes show activation of restricted neurons in unilateral hemisphere | Focal: As a result of restricted networks in unilateral hemisphere |
| Spasms: Not defined | Epileptic Spasms: Focal, generalized or both of them could be seen. They are classified as ‘Unknown Causes’ because of inadequate evidence |
| Complex, simple partial, secondarily generalized | Put away old terms. Suggested a dictionary for detailed describing focal seizures by ictal semiology |
| EPILEPSIES | |
| Generalized: Epilepsies with generalized seizures | Put away this term |
| Focal: Epilepsies with focal seizures | Put away this term |
*
Organized from the reference (Berg AT et al. Revised terminology and concepts for organization of seizures and epilepsies: Report of the ILAE Commission on Classification and Terminology, 2005–2009. Epilepsia 2010; 51(Suppl 4):676–685.)