Main types of epilepsy that may require surgery

Partial Epilepsy by Lobe

• Partial Epilepsy arises from the outer layer of the brain- the cortex, which is divided into four lobes: temporal, frontal, parietal, and occipital.  
  - Partial seizures cause localized disruption of normal functioning in a part of the brain.  This disruption can then spread to other regions of the brain (secondary generalization).
  - Since each of these lobes has a different function, seizures that arise from different lobes, or even parts of lobes, will cause different symptoms (what a person feels) and signs (what a witness sees).  
  - Also, seizures can either “turn on” brain cells (neurons) activating function, or “turn off” them off, disabling function.  For example, a seizure in the visual center of the brain (occipital lobe) could either activate neurons resulting in visual hallucinations, or turn them off, causing temporary blindness.  
  - Partial seizures that arise from each lobe frequently have certain characteristic features.

Main types:
• Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
• Frontal Lobe Epilepsy
• Parietal Lobe Epilepsy
• Occipital Lobe Epilepsy
• Epilepsy of Multifocal Origin