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Epileptic auras: phenomenology and neurophysiologyEpileptic auras Volume 17, numéro 4, December 2015

TEST YOURSELF

(1) What is the difference between aura and prodrome?


(2) Approximately what percentage of neurons are recruited during an aura?


(3) What aura sensations are most specific to insular seizures?

 

 

 

 

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Answers

(1) Epileptic auras are usually short, lasting for a few seconds to a few minutes, and often point to the identifiable primary senses, or to rather specific and complex alterations in sensations, cognition, and emotions. Prodromes, in contrast, can last for hours to days and are often described as a change in demeanour, behaviour, mood or personality perceived by the patient or others. Sometimes, they can take the form of more discrete but still non-specific symptoms like headache, restlessness, dizziness, lightheadedness or tiredness.


(2) A small percentage of neurons increases firing with an estimate of about 14% of the local neuronal population.


(3) Throat or laryngeal paresthesias and tightness, dyspnoea, unpleasant to painful somatic sensations, perioral or over large cutaneous areas.

 

 

 

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