Temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy is a form of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures.

Causes
Temporal lobe epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures arising from one or both temporal lobes of the brain. Although the causes of temporal lobe epilepsy remain uncertain, it is associated with certain risk factors, including febrile seizures during infancy, physical trauma, brain infection, tumor/cyst/lesion.

Symptoms
The individual with temporal lobe epilepsy may not be aware that he or she is having seizures; the symptoms may even mimic those of low blood sugar. The affected individual may have short time lapses where actions cannnot be accounted for, where he or she is momentarily frozen in a paused state. However, during these seizures, the individual may be fully aware and alert, but unable to move or see. Grand mal seizures can also ensue, where there is active and uncontrolled movement ranging from twitching to thrashing. Regardless of the event, the individual may be disoriented directly following the seizure, and he or she may exhibit strong emotions dependent on the reactions of others if present.

Treatments
There are oral medications available for management of epileptic seizures, but with incompletely understood mechanisms of action. Surgery, if applicable, may also be a viable alternative. Monitoring of treatment is done using EEGs, CT scans, MRI imaging, oral interviews, and coordination tests.