What is Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ?
The temporal lobe of your brain is responsible for memory, emotions, and visual and auditory perception. Seizures (abnormal brain activity) may sometimes originate in the temporal lobe and produce a mixture of emotions such as sudden unprovoked fear, an odd taste or odor, a feeling of déjà vu, and involuntary movements like chewing and smacking your lips. Following a seizure, you may be aware of your surroundings or have a period of confusion and no recollection of the event. Repeated seizures over time can lead to memory loss and learning difficulties. The cause of temporal lobe seizures (TLS) is mostly unknown but may result from traumatic brain injury, stroke, infections like meningitis and encephalitis, and tumors.
Diagnosis of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
To diagnose TLS, your doctor will question you and your family members in detail regarding your symptoms, and perform a thorough physical examination. Neurological examinations to test reflexes, muscle strength, coordination and balance may be performed. Blood tests and imaging scans may be ordered to identify possible causes of seizure. Electroencephalography (EEG) may be performed to study the electrical activity of the brain.
Treatment for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
In order to treat temporal lobe epilepsy, your doctor may start you on appropriate anti-seizure medication. In case medications do not adequately control the seizures and symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend surgery which is effective in reducing the incidence of seizures and sometimes even stopping them. Vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation, and deep brain stimulation are procedures that may be suggested to deliver electrical stimulation to the affected part of the brain and control the seizure.
