Frontal lobe seizures

Overview

Frontal lobe seizures are a common form of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a brain condition in which clusters of brain cells send a burst of electrical signals. These electrical signals cause movements that can't be controlled. These movements are called seizures. Frontal lobe seizures begin in the front of the brain, the area known as the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is one of the largest areas of the brain and helps with many important tasks, including movement. Frontal lobe seizures also are known as frontal lobe epilepsy.

Frontal lobe seizures can produce symptoms such as laughing or screaming that can't be controlled. The symptoms may appear to be related to a mental illness. The seizures also can be mistaken for a sleep disorder because they often happen during sleep.

Changes in brain tissue, infection, injury, stroke, tumors or other conditions can cause frontal lobe seizures.

Medicine can help manage the seizures. Surgery or electrical stimulation might be options if medicine doesn't stop or reduce the number of seizures.

Symptoms

Frontal lobe seizures often last less than 30 seconds. Sometimes recovery is immediate.

Symptoms of frontal lobe seizures might include:

• Head and eye movement to one side.
• Not responding to others or having trouble speaking.
• Explosive screams, including profanities or laughter.
• Changing the body's posture, such as extending one arm while the other flexes as if the person is posing like a fencer.
• Repetitive movements such as rocking, bicycle pedaling or pelvic thrusting.

When to see a doctor

See a healthcare professional if you're having symptoms of a seizure. Call 911 or emergency medical help if you see someone having a seizure that lasts longer than five minutes.

Causes

Frontal lobe seizures can be caused by tumors, stroke, infection or traumatic injuries in the brain's frontal lobes.

Frontal lobe seizures also are associated with a rare inherited form of epilepsy called autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. This form of epilepsy causes brief seizures during sleep. If a parent has this form of epilepsy, there is a 50% chance the child will have it too.

The cause is not known for about half the people who have frontal lobe epilepsy.

Risk factors

Risk factors of frontal lobe seizures include:

• Family history of seizures or brain conditions.
• Head injury.
• Brain infection.
• Brain tumors.
• Blood vessels or brain tissues that don't form in the typical way.
• Stroke.

Complications

Frontal lobe seizures can cause complications that may include:

• Seizures that last dangerously long. Frontal lobe seizures tend to happen in clusters. For this reason, they might provoke a condition in which seizure activity lasts much longer than usual, known as status epilepticus. If these seizures continue, they can cause permanent brain damage or death. Seizures that last longer than five minutes are medical emergencies. Call 911 or get medical help right away if you witness someone having a seizure for longer than five minutes.
• Injury. The uncontrolled motions that happen during frontal lobe seizures sometimes result in injury to the person having the seizure. Seizures also may result in accidents and drowning, such as while driving or swimming.
• Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). People who have seizures have a greater risk than the average person of dying suddenly. The reasons for this are not known. Possible factors include heart or breathing issues, perhaps related to genetic changes. Managing seizures with medicines appears to be the best way to prevent SUDEP.
• Depression and anxiety. Both are common in people with epilepsy. Children also have a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Living with frontal lobe seizures?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Epilepsy & Seizures support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Epilepsy & Seizures Discussions

See more discussions