The brain contains two temporal lobes, one on each side of the brain. The temporal lobes are responsible for processing auditory information, managing emotions, storing memories, and understanding language.
As its name suggests, a temporal lobe seizure is a seizure that originates in one of the temporal lobes of the brain. Temporal lobe seizures are the most common type of seizure for those suffering from a seizure disorder.
For some, the first symptom of a temporal lobe seizure is an aura. An aura takes place anywhere from several seconds to an hour before the seizure occurs. Because of this, an aura is a useful warning that a seizure is imminent.
Auras can be quite diverse and hard to describe. Examples of common auras are listed below:
After an aura comes the seizure. Most people believe seizures are just convulsions and jerking motions. On the contrary, temporal lobe seizures can appear quite differently. The symptoms of a temporal lobe seizure include the following:
One should immediately seek help if any of the following happens:
A temporal lobe seizure is caused by uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity within the temporal lobe of the brain. For many, the cause for this abnormal electrical activity remains unknown. For others, their temporal lobe seizures may be caused by any of the conditions listed below:
Three risk factors for the development of temporal lobe seizures are:
A neurologist is a special type of doctor who diagnoses and treats temporal lobe seizures. To reach a diagnosis, the neurologist will first ask the patient to describe their seizure in as much detail as possible. This includes any details of what preceded the seizure (i.e., an aura) and what transpired afterwards. If possible, the neurologist will consult with anyone who witnessed the seizure. Video recordings are also beneficial for diagnosis.
A neurologist also relies on various brain imaging techniques to diagnose temporal lobe seizures. These brain imaging techniques include the following: CT scan, MRI, fMRI, PET scan, SPECT test, SISCOM, and MEG.
If left untreated, temporal lobe seizures can lead to the following complications:
The majority of those who suffer from temporal lobe seizures can achieve complete control of their seizures through medication. However, there are some who cannot rely on medication alone. In these cases, other treatment options may be considered. They include the following:
Antiseizure medication is successful in preventing seizures in roughly two-thirds of people with temporal lobe seizures. For the remaining third, surgery helps about 70% become free of seizures. Some antiseizure medications have been linked to birth defects, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.