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Complex partial seizure
Specialty	Neurology

A complex partial seizure is an epileptic seizure that is limited to one cerebral hemisphere and causes impairment of awareness or responsiveness .

Presentation

Complex partial seizures are often preceded by a seizure aura. The seizure aura is a simple partial seizure . The seizure aura might occur as a feeling of déjà vu, jamais vu, fear, euphoria, or depersonalization. The seizure aura might occur as a visual disturbance, such as tunnel vision or a change in the size of objects (macropsia or micropsia). Once consciousness is impaired, the person may display automatisms such as lip smacking, chewing, swallowing, or undressing oneself . There may also be loss of memory (amnesia) surrounding the seizure event . The person may still be able to perform routine tasks such as walking or shopping. Witnesses may not recognize that anything is wrong.

Complex partial seizures might arise from any lobe of the brain . Complex partial seizures most commonly arise from the medial temporal lobe, particularly the amygdala, hippocampus and neocortical regions . A common associated brain abnormality is mesial temporal sclerosis . Mesial temporal sclerosis is a specific pattern of hippocampal neuronal loss accompanied by hippocampal gliosis and atrophy . Complex partial seizures occur when excessive and synchronous electrical brain activity causes impaired awareness and responsiveness . The abnormal electrical activity might spread to the rest of the brain and cause a secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure .

Creativity & Epilepsy

Some observations suggest that complex partial seizures might enhance creativity. However, research studies have generated conflicting results. In 2002, researchers at the Guelhane Military Medical Academy in Turkey evaluated thirty men with epilepsy and thirty-six men without. The men were instructed to use fragmented parts of a drawing to create a picture of their own. Those with complex partial seizures scored higher than their counterparts. A 2004 study suggested that temporal lobe epilepsy was not associated with their measure of creativity.

Complex partial seizures and religious hallucinations

There are several religious figures suspected of having complex partial seizures. Ezekiel could have suffered from complex seizuresOld Testament prophet showed epileptic symptoms. Though her supporters disagree, the founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ellen G. White's visions of God may have been caused by partial seizures. She had previously lost consciousness from a head injury . Her brain injury was significant enough to prevent her return to school.

See also

• List of people with epilepsy

Notes

1. Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher 2000, p. 1748.
2. Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher 2000, p. 1749.
3. Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher 2000, p. 1749.
4. Murro, Anthony M. 2006.
5. Engelsen, B A., C Tzoulis, B Karlsen, A Lillebø, L M 2008.
6. Murro, Anthony M. 2006.
7. Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher 2000, p. 1749.
8. Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher 2000, p. 1749.
9. Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher 2000, p. 1750.
10. Murro, Anthony M. 2006.
11. Trepeta, Scott 2007.
12. "International League Against Epilepsy." 2008.
13. Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher 2000, p. 1747.
14. Natalie Angier: In the Temporal Lobes, Seizures and Creativity. New York Times, October 12, 1993.
15. E. Togrol, A. Togrol, S. Can: Creative thinking in epilepsy. Boğaziçi University, 2002.
16. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Creativity: A Model of Association

References

• Engelsen, B A., C Tzoulis, B Karlsen, A Lillebø, L M. Laegreid, J Aasly, M Zeviani, and L A. Bindoff. "POLG1 Mutations Cause a Syndromic Epilepsy with Occipital Lobe Predilection." Brain 131 (2008): 818-828.
• "International League Against Epilepsy." 2008. International League Against Epilepsy. 9 Apr. 2008 <http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/>.
• Murro, Anthony M. "eMedicine - Complex Partial Seizures." 11 Oct. 2006. Medical College of Georgia. 9 Apr. 2008 <http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic74.htm>.
• Natalie Angier: In the Temporal Lobes, Seizures and Creativity. New York Times, October 12, 1993.
• Togrol E., Togrol A., S. Can: Creative thinking in epilepsy. Boğaziçi University, 2002.
• Trepeta, Scott. "eMedicine - Mesial Temporal Sclerosis." 11 Sept. 2007. Jamaica Hospital. 9 Apr. 2008 <http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic443.htm>.
• Trescher, William H., and Ronald P. Lescher. "The Epilepsies." Neurology in Clinical Practice. Ed. Walter G. Bradley, Robert B. Daroff, Gerald M. Fenichel, and C. David Marsden. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. 1745-1780.
• Epilepsy Action - Link Between Complex Partial Epilepsy and Creativity
• Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Creativity: A Model of Association
• Old Testament prophet showed epileptic symptoms

• Neurology
• Symptoms
• Epilepsy