Learn About Absence Seizure

What is the definition of Absence Seizure?

An absence seizure is the term for a type of seizure involving staring spells. This type of seizure is a brief (usually less than 15 seconds) change in awareness due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

What are the alternative names for Absence Seizure?

Seizure - petit mal; Seizure - absence; Petit mal seizure; Epilepsy - absence seizure; Non-motor generalized seizure

What are the causes of Absence Seizure?

Seizures result from overactivity in the brain. Absence seizures occur most often in people under age 20, usually in children ages 4 to 12 years.

In some cases, the seizures are triggered by flashing lights or when the person breathes faster and more deeply than usual (hyperventilates).

They may also occur with other types of seizures, such as bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal seizures), twitches or jerks (myoclonus), or sudden loss of muscle strength (atonic seizures).

What are the symptoms of Absence Seizure?

Most absence seizures last only a few seconds. They often involve staring episodes. The episodes may:

  • Occur many times a day
  • Occur for weeks to months before being noticed
  • Interfere with school and learning
  • Be mistaken for lack of attention, daydreaming or other misbehavior

Unexplained difficulties in school and learning difficulties may be the first sign of absence seizures.

During the seizure, the person may:

  • Stop walking and start again a few seconds later
  • Stop talking in mid-sentence and start again a few seconds later

The person usually does not fall during the seizure.

Right after the seizure, the person is usually:

  • Wide awake
  • Thinking clearly
  • Unaware of the seizure

Specific symptoms of typical absence seizures may include:

  • Changes in muscle activity, such as no movement, hand fumbling, fluttering eyelids, lip smacking, chewing
  • Changes in alertness (consciousness), such as staring episodes, lack of awareness of surroundings, sudden halt in movement, talking, and other awake activities

Some absence seizures begin slower and last longer. These are called atypical absence seizures. Symptoms are similar to regular absence seizures, but muscle activity changes may be more noticeable.

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What are the current treatments for Absence Seizure?

Treatment for absence seizures includes medicines, changes in lifestyle for adults and children, such as activity and diet, and sometimes surgery. Your provider can tell you more about these options.

Who are the top Absence Seizure Local Doctors?
Family Medicine
Family Medicine

Ths Physician Partners Inc

333 Laidley St, 
Charleston, WV 
 7.5 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Lester Labus is a Family Medicine provider in Charleston, West Virginia. Dr. Labus and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Absence Seizure. His top areas of expertise are Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, and Painful Swallowing. Dr. Labus is currently accepting new patients.

Family Medicine
Family Medicine
5722 Cabin Creek Road, Suite A, 
Dawes, WV 
 23.8 mi
Accepting New Patients

Sue Westfall is a Family Medicine provider in Dawes, West Virginia. Dr. Westfall and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Absence Seizure. Her top areas of expertise are End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Insomnia, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, and Hypertension. Dr. Westfall is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Charleston Area Medical Center Inc

415 Morris St, Suite 300, 
Charleston, WV 
 27.9 mi
Accepting New Patients

Adel Aziz is a Neurologist in Charleston, West Virginia. Dr. Aziz and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Absence Seizure. His top areas of expertise are Dementia, Cerebellar Degeneration, Memory Loss, and Primary Progressive Aphasia. Dr. Aziz is currently accepting new patients.

What are the latest Absence Seizure Clinical Trials?
A Phase I, Open-Label, Pharmacokinetic, Dose-Escalation Study of Cenobamate (YKP3089) in Pediatric Subjects with Partial-Onset Seizures

Summary: The primary objective of this study is to assess the pharmacokinetics of cenobamate (YKP3089) in pediatric subjects with partial-onset (focal) seizures following single and multiple-dosing.

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Open-Label Safety and Efficacy Study of Cenobamate in Pediatric Subjects 2-17 Years of Age with Partial-onset (focal) Seizures

Summary: Primary objective: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of cenobamate in pediatric subjects 2-17 years of age with partial-onset (focal) seizures

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Abou-Khalil BW, Gallagher MJ, Macdonald RL. Epilepsies. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 100.

Kanner AM, Ashman E, Gloss D, et al. Practice guideline update summary: Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs I: Treatment of new-onset epilepsy: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology. 2018;91(2):74-81. PMID: 29898971 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29898971/.

Mikati MA, Tchapyjnikov D, Rathke KM. Seizures in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 633.

Wiebe S. The epilepsies. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 372.