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Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 6/2017

01-06-2017 | Epilepsy (CW Bazil, Section Editor)

The New Classification of Seizures by the International League Against Epilepsy 2017

Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports | Issue 6/2017

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review presents the newly developed International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 2017 classification of seizure types.

Recent Findings

The fundamental distinction is between seizures that begin focally in one hemisphere of the brain, generalized onset seizures that apparently originate in both hemispheres, and seizures of unknown onset. Focal seizures optionally can be subclassified according to whether awareness (a surrogate marker for consciousness) is intact or impaired. The next level of classification for focal seizures is motor (with subgroups automatisms, atonic, clonic, epileptic spasms, hyperkinetic, myoclonic, tonic), non-motor (with subgroups autonomic, behavior arrest, cognitive, emotional, sensory), and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic. Generalized seizures are categorized as motor (tonic-clonic, clonic, tonic, myoclonic, myoclonic-tonic-clonic, myoclonic-atonic, atonic, epileptic spasms) and non-motor/absence (typical, atypical, myoclonic, eyelid myoclonia).

Summary

The classification allows new types of focal seizures and a few new generalized seizures, and clarifies terms used to name seizures.
Literature
1.
• Proposal for revised clinical and electroencephalographic classification of epileptic seizures. From the Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia 1981;22:489–501. The basis for the current classification of seizure types, developed in 1981 based upon review of hundreds of seizure videos.
2.
Gastaut H. Classification of the epilepsies. Proposal for an international classification. Epilepsia. 1969;10(Suppl):14–21.
3.
•• Fisher RS, Cross JH, French JA, et al. Operational classification of seizure types by the International League Against Epilepsy: Position Paper of the ILAE Commission for Classification and Terminology. Epilepsia 2017;58:522–530. The new classification of seizure types.
4.
• Fisher RS, Cross JH, D’Souza C, et al. Instruction manual for the ILAE 2017 operational classification of seizure types. Epilepsia 2017;531–542. A "users’ manual for the new seizure classification.
5.
•• Scheffer IE, Berkovic S, Capovilla G, et al. ILAE classification of the epilepsies: Position paper of the ILAE Commission for Classification and Terminology. Epilepsia 2017;58:512–521. The new classification of the epilepsies.
Metadata
Title
The New Classification of Seizures by the International League Against Epilepsy 2017
Publication date
01-06-2017
Published in
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 1528-4042
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6293
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-017-0758-6

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