What is the main feature of seizures?

The main feature of seizures is uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Seizures occur due to abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal activity, which can lead to a variety of symptoms depending on the area of the brain that is affected. This erratic electrical discharge can cause observable changes in behavior, movement, sensation, or consciousness.

Understanding this is crucial because it emphasizes how seizures fundamentally differ from other conditions that may involve psychological or cognitive disturbances. For instance, uncontrolled psychological episodes can present as panic attacks or mood disorders, but they do not stem from the brain's electrical functioning. Similarly, loss of motor function may occur postictally, meaning after a seizure, but it is not a defining characteristic of the seizure itself. Gradual cognitive decline is indicative of neurodegenerative conditions rather than the acute, often reversible nature of seizures triggered by abnormal brain activity.