Frontal lobe seizures

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Frontal lobe seizures usually last less than 30 seconds and often occur during sleep. Signs and symptoms of frontal lobe seizures may include:

  • Head and eye movement to one side
  • Complete or partial unresponsiveness, or difficulty speaking
  • Explosive screams or laughter
  • Abnormal body posturing, such as one arm extending while the other flexes, as if the person is posing like a fencer
  • Repetitive movements, such as rocking or bicycle pedaling

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you're having signs or symptoms of frontal lobe seizure. Call 911 or emergency medical help if someone you know has a seizure that lasts more than five minutes.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Frontal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/frontallobe.cfm. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  2. 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.
  3. Benbadis SR. Localization-related (partial) epilepsy: Causes and clinical features. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  4. 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.
  5. Patrikelis P, et al. Neurocognitive and behavioral functioning in frontal lobe epilepsy: A review. Epilepsy & Behavior. 2009;14:19.
  6. 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.
  7. Schachter SC. Surgical therapy of epilepsy in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  8. Schachter SC, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  9. Sirven JI (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. Aug. 5, 2010.
DS00810 Oct. 12, 2010

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