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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Frontal lobe seizures are seizures that originate in the front of the brain. Epilepsy symptoms can vary depending on what part of the brain is involved. Frontal lobe seizures may produce unusual symptoms that can appear to be related to a psychiatric problem or a sleep disorder.
Frontal lobe seizures often occur during sleep and may feature bicycle pedaling motions and pelvic thrusting. Some people scream profanities or laugh during frontal lobe seizures.
In many cases of frontal lobe seizures, brain wave tests (electroencephalograms) may not show the changes characteristic of epileptic seizures that originate elsewhere in the brain. Medications usually can control frontal lobe seizures, but surgery is an option if anti-seizure drugs aren't effective.
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- Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm. Accessed July 29, 2010.
- Benbadis SR. Localization-related (partial) epilepsy: Causes and clinical features. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 29, 2010.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed July 29, 2010.
- Patrikelis P, et al. Neurocognitive and behavioral functioning in frontal lobe epilepsy: A review. Epilepsy & Behavior. 2009;14:19.
- Aminoff MJ, et al. Nervous system disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. New York, N.Y. McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=12507. Accessed July 29, 2010.
- Schachter SC. Surgical therapy of epilepsy in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 29, 2010.
- Schachter SC, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 29, 2010.
- Sirven JI (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. Aug. 5, 2010.
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