Focal impaired awareness seizures can begin in any lobe of the brain, but cause alteration of awareness due to spreading of seizure activity.
Focal impaired awareness seizures are often preceded by a simple partial seizure (aura). An aura is often described as a warning and can manifest in several different ways, such as a sense of fear, a funny feeling in the body, déjà vu, etc.
Patients experiencing a focal impaired awareness seizure may stare blankly into space, or experience automatisms (non-purposeful, repetitive movements).
How are focal impaired awareness seizures treated?
There is no one treatment method for any patient with a seizure disorder. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient based on their diagnosis and symptoms. Treatment options may include medical therapy, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, or surgery, as appropriate. Clinical trials may also be a valuable treatment alternative.