Temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures originating in the temporal lobe of the brain. It is the most common form of focal (or partial) epilepsy and represents approximately 60 percent of all patients with epilepsy.

Symptoms

The symptoms experienced during a seizure will depend on the specific area of the brain where the seizure begins. In TLE, seizures often involve feelings of fear, anxiety, or a sense of déjà vu. Other symptoms can include sensory changes, such as visual disturbances or changes in hearing, smell, taste, or touch.

Causes

TLE is often associated with a brain abnormality, such as hippocampal sclerosis, which is a specific pattern of hippocampal cell loss. Other causes can include brain injury, infection, or abnormal blood vessels. However, in many cases, the cause of TLE is unknown.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of TLE typically involves a detailed medical history and neurological examination, as well as tests such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure electrical activity in the brain, and imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify any structural abnormalities.

Treatment

Treatment for TLE typically involves medication to control seizures. In some cases, surgery may be considered if medication is not effective.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with TLE varies. Some individuals may have good seizure control with medication, while others may continue to have seizures despite treatment.

See also

• Epilepsy
• Seizure
• Hippocampal sclerosis
• Electroencephalogram
• Magnetic resonance imaging

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia

• 
  Diagram showing the lobes of the brain
• 
  Cajal's drawing of the hippocampus
• 
  MRI image of the hippocampus
• 
  PET scan of a normal brain
• 
  Surgery in progress for epilepsy treatment
• 
  Vagus nerve stimulation device
• 
  Responsive Neurostimulation System (RNS)
• 
  Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in pediatrics