Types of Epilepsy

There are many different types of epilepsy. In fact, we commonly refer to different types of epilepsy as epileptic syndromes, defined by a cluster of features including:

• Seizure types
• Age when seizures begin
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) findings
• Brain structure (usually assessed with a brain MRI scan)
• Family history of epilepsy or genetic disorder
• Prognosis (future outlook)

There are many epileptic syndromes specific to both adults and children. At the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (CEC) we see patients of all ages. This section explores the most common epilepsy syndromes in both adults and children.

Epilepsy Syndromes

• Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
• Frontal Lobe Epilepsy
• Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy
• Parietal Lobe Epilepsy
• Occipital Lobe Epilepsy
• Primary Generalized Epiliepy
• Idiopathic Partial Epiliepy
• Symptomatic Generalized Epilepsy
• Reflex Epilepsy
  

Epilepsy Syndromes in Children

• Febrile Seizures
• Benign Rolandic Epilepsy
• Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
• Infantile Spasms
• Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
• Childhood Absence Epilepsy
• Benign Occipital Epilepsy
• Mitochondrial Disorders
• Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
• Rasmussen Syndrome
• Hypothalamic Hamartoma & Epilepsy