Understanding the Definition of Epilepsy and Seizures

Epilepsy is defined as a brain disorder characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures. An epileptic seizure is transient signs or symptoms due to abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. The International League Against Epilepsy provides a conceptual definition of epilepsy that includes non-seizure manifestations like neurobiological, cognitive, psychosocial consequences. The diagnosis of epilepsy requires at least one epileptic seizure, which can be classified based on having two unprovoked seizures, a single unprovoked seizure with a high chance of recurrence, or a diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome.