How is a seizure defined?

A seizure is defined as a transient disturbance of cerebral function. This description captures the essence of what occurs during a seizure, which involves a temporary alteration in brain activity that can result in a variety of symptoms. These disturbances can manifest in many forms, including changes in behavior, movement, sensations, or consciousness, reflecting the underlying electrical abnormalities in the brain that characterize seizures.

The transient nature of seizures is significant because it implies that these disturbances are not permanent. They can vary in duration and intensity, often lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. This definition encompasses the wide range of seizure types seen in clinical practice, which may include focal seizures affecting specific areas of the brain or generalized seizures that affect both hemispheres.

Understanding this definition helps in recognizing seizures as episodes with identifiable onsets and offsets, which can be crucial for diagnosis and management.