Frontal lobe seizures

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Definition

Epilepsy causes a variety of symptoms, depending on where the seizures originate in the brain. Seizures that begin in the front of the brain (frontal lobe seizures) vary the most from one individual to another and may produce unusual symptoms that can appear to be related to a psychiatric problem or a sleep disorder.

For example, some people will be struck with an inexplicable spate of giggling during frontal lobe seizures, while others may scream, growl or bark. Many frontal lobe seizures occur during sleep, causing people to jump out of bed and run around or pound on things. Bicycle pedaling motions and pelvic thrusting also may occur.

Despite these peculiarities, there are characteristic features of frontal lobe seizures. Frontal lobe epilepsy may produce very brief seizures, often lasting less than a minute, that recur multiple times a day. Frontal lobe seizures can also cause whole-body convulsions.

In many cases of frontal lobe epilepsy, the electroencephalograms (EEGs) may not show the changes characteristic of epileptic seizures. Medications usually can control frontal lobe seizures, but surgery is an option if anti-seizure drugs aren't effective.

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Symptoms