A Comprehensive Guide: Understanding Brain Activity During Seizure

Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can cause changes in behavior, movement, feelings, and levels of consciousness.

Understanding brain activity during a seizure is crucial for managing and treating seizures effectively.

This blog will walk you through the different types of seizures, their symptoms, and the fascinating changes in brain activity that occur before, during, and after a seizure.

Additionally, we’ll discuss treatment options, lifestyle adjustments, and seizure management plans to help those affected lead healthier lives.

Different Types of Seizures

There are various types of seizures, each affecting the brain in different ways.

They fall into two broad categories:

Focal (partial) seizures

Focal seizures begin in one specific area of the brain.

They can either be simple (without loss of consciousness) or complex (with impaired awareness).

Symptoms can include unusual sensations, involuntary movements, and even emotional changes.

Generalized seizures

Generalized seizures affect both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously.

These include:

Absence seizures: Brief, sudden lapses in consciousness, often mistaken for daydreaming.
Tonic-clonic seizures: Characterized by a loss of consciousness, muscle stiffening, and convulsions.
Myoclonic seizures: Brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles.
Atonic seizures: Sudden loss of muscle strength, leading to falls.
Tonic seizures: Muscle stiffening, usually in the arms, legs, or back.
Clonic seizures: Repeated jerking movements on both sides of the body.

Symptoms of Seizures

The symptoms of a seizure vary depending on the type. They can include:

Temporary confusion
Staring spells
Uncontrollable jerking movements (especially in the arms and legs)
Loss of consciousness or awareness
Cognitive or emotional disturbances, such as fear, anxiety, or déjà vu

These symptoms typically last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes and can range from mild to severe.

Brain Activity Before a Seizure

Before a seizure happens, there are often changes in brain activity that can be spotted using a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG).

This test measures the electrical activity in the brain.

When a seizure is about to occur, the brain’s neurons (the cells that send signals in the brain) become overly excited.

This means they start firing off signals more intensely and chaotically than usual.

If this excessive activity builds up to a certain point, it can trigger a seizure.

Many people who are prone to seizures notice a kind of warning sign before the full-blown seizure starts.

This warning sign is called an aura.

An aura is a special feeling or sensation that can vary from person to person.

For some, it might be a feeling of dizziness, a strange taste or smell, or a tingling sensation.

It’s like a personal signal from the brain saying that a seizure might be coming soon.

Brain Activity During a Seizure

When a seizure occurs, the brain’s electrical activity goes haywire.

Normally, brain cells (neurons) communicate in a well-organized way, sending signals back and forth in a controlled manner.

During a seizure, this normal pattern breaks down.

Instead of coordinated signaling, the neurons start firing off signals in a rapid and uncontrolled fashion, almost like a short-circuit in an electrical system.

This chaotic activity is what leads to the various physical and mental symptoms of a seizure.

The effects of this abnormal brain activity can vary depending on the type of seizure:

Focal seizures

These occur when abnormal activity is confined to a specific area of the brain.

For example, if the abnormal activity happens in the temporal lobe (an area involved in processing sensory information), it might cause someone to experience unusual smells, tastes, or emotional reactions.

Generalized seizures

These involve the entire brain and lead to more widespread symptoms.

They can include convulsions (uncontrolled shaking), muscle stiffness, or a loss of consciousness.

In particular, tonic-clonic seizures (sometimes called grand mal seizures) have two main phases:

Tonic phase: This is where the muscles stiffen up. It’s linked to a huge spike in brain activity.
Clonic phase: This phase involves rhythmic jerking movements. It happens because the brain’s activity alternates between bursts of high activity and periods of relaxation.

Researchers use advanced imaging techniques, like functional MRI (fMRI), to study the brain during seizures.

These images reveal significant disruptions in the brain’s normal network of activity, helping to understand how seizures affect brain function.

Brain Activity After a Seizure

After a seizure, the brain goes through a recovery phase called the postictal state.

This is when the brain starts to return to its usual, normal activity after the intense electrical activity of the seizure.

This recovery period can last from a few minutes to several hours.

During the postictal state, people often feel confused, tired, or have a headache. They might also experience temporary memory problems.

This is because the brain is still settling back into its regular rhythm.

Scientists think that after a seizure, the brain takes time to get back to normal.

Neurons, or brain cells, are recovering and slowly returning to their usual way of functioning.

EEG tests, which measure brain activity, often show that the brain’s electrical patterns gradually return to normal.

It’s also common for the brain to be extra sensitive to things around it during this time.

That’s why some people may feel disoriented or especially tired after a seizure.

Treatment and Management

Managing seizures usually involves a mix of medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.

Here’s a look at the different treatment options:

Medications

The main treatment for seizures is anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).

These medications help control the unusual electrical activity in the brain, which can reduce how often and how severely seizures occur.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, about 70% of people with epilepsy can manage their seizures with just medications.

Surgery

When medications aren’t enough to control seizures, surgery might be considered.

One common type of surgery is called resective surgery, where doctors remove the part of the brain causing the seizures.

Another option is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), where a small device is implanted to send electrical signals to the brain to help reduce seizures.

Lifestyle changes

Making certain lifestyle changes can also help manage seizures. Some useful adjustments include:

Keeping a regular sleep schedule: Not getting enough sleep can trigger seizures.
Managing stress: Stress can lead to seizures, so relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation might help.
Dietary changes: Some people, especially children, find that a ketogenic diet (high in fat and low in carbohydrates) can help reduce seizures.

Seizure management

Plans Having a personalized plan for managing seizures can be very helpful.

These plans often include:

Tracking triggers: Keeping a journal to note when seizures happen and what might have triggered them.
Emergency protocols: Knowing what to do when a seizure occurs, especially if you’re a caregiver.
Medical alert devices: Using ID bracelets or smartphone apps to let others know about your condition in case of a seizure.