title: Is there such a thing as "generalized" epilepsy?
abstract: The distinction between generalized and partial epilepsies is probably one, if not the most, pregnant assertions in modern epileptology. Both absence and generalized tonic-clonic seizures, the prototypic seizures found in generalized epilepsies, are classically seen as the result of a rapid, synchronous recruitment of neuronal networks resulting in impairment of consciousness and/or convulsive semiology. The term generalized also refers to electroencephalographic presentation, with bilateral, synchronous activity, such as the classical 3 Hz spike and wave discharges of typical absence epilepsy. However, findings obtained from electrophysiological and functional imaging studies over the last few years, contradict this view, showing a rather focal onset for most of the so-called generalized seizure types. Therefore, we ask here the question whether "generalized epilepsy" does indeed exist.
authors.affiliation: Donders Centre for Cognition, Radboud University Nijmegen, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Luijtelaar
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Behr
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Avoli
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging