Table 3.

Descriptors of focal seizures according to degree of impairment during seizures

Without impairment of consciousness or awareness.

With observable motor or autonomic components. This roughly corresponds to the concept of “simple partial seizure”.

“Focal motor” and “autonomic” are terms that may adequately convey this concept depending on the seizure manifestations.

Involving subjective sensory or psychic phenomena only. This corresponds to the concept of an aura, a term endorsed in the 2001 Glossary.

With impairment of consciousness or awareness. This roughly corresponds to the concept of “complex partial seizure”.

“Dyscognitive” is a term that has been proposed for this concept (Blume et al., 2001).

Evolving to a bilateral, convulsive seizure (involving tonic, clonic, or tonic and clonic components). This expression replaces the term “secondarily generalized seizure.”

^aFor more descriptors that have been clearly defined and recommended for use, please see Blume et al., 2001,

^bThe term “convulsive” was considered a lay term in the Glossary; however, we note that it is used,

^*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(Supll 4):676–685