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Automatism — 1. A behavior that is performed without conscious knowledge and that does not appear to be under conscious control. This curious type of behavior occurs in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The neurologic disorders associated… … Medical dictionary
Absence seizure — A seizure that takes the form of a staring spell. The person suddenly seems to be “absent.” An absence seizure involves a brief loss of awareness, which can be accompanied by blinking or mouth twitching. Absence seizures have a very… … Medical dictionary
Epilepsy — (seizure disorder): When nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times higher than normal, this causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure. A pattern of repeated seizures is referred to as … Medical dictionary
Epilepsy, temporal-lobe — Epilepsy characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the temporal lobe of the brain. This activity does not cause grand mal seizures, but rather causes unusual behaviors and patterns of cognition. Seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy often… … Medical dictionary
Seizure — Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, which may produce a physical convulsion, minor physical signs, thought disturbances, or a combination of symptoms. The type of symptoms and seizures depend on where the abnormal electrical activity… … Medical dictionary
Temporal-lobe epilepsy — Epilepsy (seizures) characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the temporal lobe of the brain. This electrical activity does not cause grand or petit mal seizures, but rather causes unusual behaviors and patterns of cognition. Seizures in… … Medical dictionary
absence — Paroxysmal attacks of impaired consciousness, occasionally accompanied by spasm or twitching of cephalic muscles, which usually can be brought on by hyperventilation; depending on the type and severity of the a., the EEG may show an abrupt onset… … Medical dictionary
ictal — Relating to or caused by a stroke or seizure. [L. ictus, a stroke] * * * ic·tal ik təl adj of, relating to, or caused by ictus <ictal symptomatology> <ictal speech automatisms> … Medical dictionary
temporal lobe epilepsy — n epilepsy characterized by partial rather than generalized seizures that typically originate in the temporal lobe and are marked by impairment of consciousness, automatisms, unusual changes in behavior, and hallucinations (as of odors) abbr. TLE … Medical dictionary
gelastic epilepsy — temporal lobe epilepsy in which the automatisms consist of fits of uncontrollable mirthless laughter … Medical dictionary
