Temporal lobe epilepsy

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Temporal lobe epilepsy
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Seizures, auras, memory loss, déjà vu, jamais vu
Complications	N/A
Onset	Typically childhood or adolescence
Duration	Chronic
Types	Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, Neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy
Causes	Brain injury, infections, genetic factors
Risks	Family history, head trauma, febrile seizures
Diagnosis	EEG, MRI
Differential diagnosis	Other types of epilepsy, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Anticonvulsants, surgery, vagus nerve stimulation
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; some achieve seizure control, others may have intractable epilepsy
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

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 déj√† 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.

Gallery

• 

  Cajal's drawing of the hippocampus

• 

  MRI image of the hippocampus

• 

  PET scan of a normal brain

• 

  Surgery in progress for epilepsy treatment

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  Vagus nerve stimulation device

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  Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in pediatrics

See also

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

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