Abstract

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures in children may have different causes and a different natural history than seizures and epilepsy in adults. The effects of medication may also be of greater importance during childhood. In making decisions about whether or not to treat a child who has had only one or a few seizures, the physician must consider the chance of further seizures and the possible consequences of further seizures. Epilepsy is one of the most common and disabling neurologic conditions, yet we have an incomplete understanding of the detailed pathophysiology and, thus, treatment rationale for much of epilepsy. This article reviews the clinical aspects of seizures and epilepsy with the goal of providing neuroscientists an introduction to aspects that might be amenable to scientific investigation. Seizures and epilepsy are defined, diagnostic methods are reviewed, various clinical syndromes are discussed, and aspects of differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are considered to enable neuroscientists to formulate basic and translational research questions.