title: Revised terminology and concepts for organization of seizures and epilepsies: report of the ILAE Commission on Classification and Terminology, 2005-2009.
abstract: The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Commission on Classification and Terminology has revised concepts, terminology, and approaches for classifying seizures and forms of epilepsy. Generalized and focal are redefined for seizures as occurring in and rapidly engaging bilaterally distributed networks (generalized) and within networks limited to one hemisphere and either discretely localized or more widely distributed (focal). Classification of generalized seizures is simplified. No natural classification for focal seizures exists; focal seizures should be described according to their manifestations (e.g., dyscognitive, focal motor). The concepts of generalized and focal do not apply to electroclinical syndromes. Genetic, structural-metabolic, and unknown represent modified concepts to replace idiopathic, symptomatic, and cryptogenic. Not all epilepsies are recognized as electroclinical syndromes. Organization of forms of epilepsy is first by specificity: electroclinical syndromes, nonsyndromic epilepsies with structural-metabolic causes, and epilepsies of unknown cause. Further organization within these divisions can be accomplished in a flexible manner depending on purpose. Natural classes (e.g., specific underlying cause, age at onset, associated seizure type), or pragmatic groupings (e.g., epileptic encephalopathies, self-limited electroclinical syndromes) may serve as the basis for organizing knowledge about recognized forms of epilepsy and facilitate identification of new forms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA. atberg@niu.edu
authors.forename: Anne T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Samuel F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Berkovic
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brodie
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buchhalter
authors.forename: J Helen
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Emde Boas
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Tracy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Glauser
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Mathern
authors.forename: Solomon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Moshé
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nordli
authors.forename: Perrine
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Plouin
authors.forename: Ingrid E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Scheffer
mesh_terms: D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies; D012640:Seizures / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D009626:Terminology as Topic