TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Auras and Other Simple Partial Seizures A1 - Stern, John M. A2 - Sirven, Joseph I. A2 - Stern, John M. PY - 2011 T2 - Atlas of Video-EEG Monitoring AB - The classification of seizures according to whether consciousness is impaired is a major component of the commonly used convention outlined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in 1981.1 According to this system, partial seizures have initial clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) evidence for localization to a neuronal system within one cerebral hemisphere. Partial seizures are then subcategorized as simple partial seizures (SPSs) and complex partial seizures (CPSs) based on whether the seizure produces an impairment of consciousness. If consciousness is not impaired, the seizure is considered simple partial. However, the matter of consciousness introduces a nuance to the classification that appears straightforward on a superficial level but actually may be difficult to implement. In the ILAE's 1981 system, consciousness is defined as the integrating activity by which a totality is grasped and incorporated into experience. This differs from vigilance, and consciousness is operationally defined as awareness and responsiveness to external stimuli and then recollection of the experience. Because consciousness is a philosophically and scientifically complicated matter, an operational definition is reasonable, but even this definition is problematic because impairment of consciousness is not binary. Impairment may involve components of consciousness and also may occur in gradations.2 SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - neurology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1103048909 ER -