title: The occurrence and characteristics of auras in a large epilepsy cohort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite several studies, estimates of the frequency with which auras occur in conjunction with epilepsy continue to be imprecise. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and characteristics of auras in a large population-based epilepsy cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with verified epilepsy were recruited from population-based twin registries in the USA, Denmark and Norway. Using a structured interview in which a list of auras was provided, subjects were asked about the warning symptoms preceding their epileptic attacks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  31% of the total sample (n = 1897) and 39% of those with active epilepsy (n = 765) had experienced an aura. Six percent reported more than one type. Non-specified auras were most frequently reported (35%), followed by somatosensory (11%) and vertiginous (11%). While the majority of those reporting auras (59%) had focal epilepsies, auras of a mostly non-specific nature were experienced by 13% of those with generalized epilepsies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Auras serve an important purpose in that they may prevent seizure-related injuries and could provide an indication as to where the seizures originate. The occurrence of auras often is underestimated, especially in children and those with learning disabilities.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epilepsy, Sandvika, Norway. karl.otto.nakken@epilepsy.no
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Nakken
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Solaas
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kjeldsen
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pellock
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Corey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012042:Registries; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology; D014427:Twins; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult