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

  • Epilepsy (CW Bazil, Section Editor)
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Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  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.

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  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.

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Acknowledgements

The International League Against Epilepsy supported travel and incidental expenses involved in task force meetings to develop the classification. Task force members were not paid. The current author is grateful to the Classification Task Force members for their primary input into the material of the Epilepsia papers from which this review is adapted. These members are Helen Cross, Carol D’Souza, Jacqueline A. French, Sheryl Haut, Norimichi Higurashi, Edouard Hirsch, Floor E. Jansen, Lieven Lagae, Solomon L. Moshé, Jukka Peltola, Eliane Roulet Perez, Ingrid E. Scheffer, Andreas Schulze-Bonhage, Ernest Somerville, Michael Sperling, Elza Marcia Yacubian, and Sameer M. Zuberi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 213 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304-5979, USA

    Robert S. Fisher

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  1. Robert S. Fisher
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Correspondence to Robert S. Fisher.

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Conflict of Interest

Robert S. Fisher is supported by the James and Carrie Anderson Research Fund, the Maslah Saul MD Chair, the Susan Horngen Fund, and the Steve Chen Fund. He holds stock options in Avails Medical, Smart Monitor, Zeto, and Cerebral Therapeutics.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Epilepsy

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Fisher, R.S. The New Classification of Seizures by the International League Against Epilepsy 2017. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 17, 48 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-017-0758-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-017-0758-6

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