partial-onset seizure

Partial-onset seizures, also known as focal seizures, originate in a specific area of the brain. These seizures can be caused by prior brain injuries, such as from stroke or trauma. Symptoms vary depending on the affected brain region and can include unusual sensations, altered emotions, or repetitive movements. Auras, which are early warning symptoms like visual or auditory hallucinations, may precede the seizure. If the electrical discharges remain localized, they are considered simple partial seizures. However, if they spread, leading to altered consciousness and automatisms (strange, repetitive movements), they are termed complex partial seizures. The pathology of these seizures is an area of ongoing research, with some studies suggesting abnormalities in neuronal support cells called astrocytes may play a role.12