Atonic Seizures

Seizures are characterized by abnormal changes in the brain’s electrical activity. These changes can cause loss of consciousness or involuntary movements, like shaking or jerking.If you have two or more seizures, it’s considered epilepsy. It’s a common neurological condition. In the United States, approximately 3.4 million peopleTrusted Source have active epilepsy, and about 5.1 million peopleTrusted Source have a history of the condition.Epilepsy can cause many possible types of seizures, including atonic seizures. These seizures, also called drop attacks, cause a sudden loss of muscle tone. This can lead to head-drooping or falling.Atonic seizures are usually generalized seizures, meaning they affect both sides of the brain. But they can also be focal seizures, where they affect one side of the brain.Read on to learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options associated with atonic seizures.

What is an atonic seizure?

An atonic seizure happens when your muscles suddenly relax. It happens involuntary, so you can’t control it.This seizure might affect one muscle group, like the head and neck, causing the body part to droop. In other cases, it can affect all your muscles, causing you to fall if you’re standing.Atonic seizures are also called:

• drop attacks
• astatic seizures
• drop seizures

You usually stay conscious during atonic seizures.

Atonic seizure symptoms

Symptoms include:

• sudden limpness in one or more parts of the body
• head nodding
• eyelid drooping
• dropping items
• falls
• staying conscious or briefly losing consciousness

Most atonic seizures last about 15 seconds or less. Sometimes, they can last for several minutes.

What are myoclonic atonic seizures?

A myoclonic seizure causes sudden jerking in some or all of your muscles. It typically lasts less than a second, but many myoclonic seizures can happen within a short amount of time.If you experience this with an atonic seizure, it’s known as a myoclonic atonic seizure. Your muscles suddenly jerk before falling limp.Myoclonic atonic seizures may occur in Doose syndrome, or myoclonic astatic epilepsy. This is a rare syndrome that appears in early childhood.

Aftereffects of an atonic seizure

Atonic seizures are usually short. But you might feel confused after the seizure, especially if you briefly lose consciousness.If you were standing or doing something when the seizure happened, you might fall. This could lead to aftereffects like:

• pain
• soreness
• bruises
• cuts
• serious injury

If the seizure didn’t cause pain or injury, you’ll be able to resume your normal activity.

Atonic seizure causes

Possible causes include:

• genetic mutations
• abnormal brain development
• stroke
• severe brain injury
• low oxygen supply before birth (perinatal hypoxia)
• central nervous system infections

Sometimes, atonic seizures may be part of a childhood condition, like Doose syndrome or Lennox-Gaustaut syndrome.  In other cases, the cause might be unknown.

Who is at risk for atonic seizures?

Atonic seizures are more likely to affect babies and children. That’s because atonic seizures typically appear in childhood.However, the seizures can last into adulthood. An adult who has these seizures likely had them as a child as well.Adults may also experience atonic seizures if they have learning disabilities or frontal lobe lesions.

Atonic seizures in babies and toddlers

Though atonic seizures are more common in children than adults, they’re still rare. About 1 to 3 percent of children with epilepsy get atonic seizures.The seizures typically appear during infancy or early childhood. They may start between 1 and 6 years old, depending on the cause.An atonic seizure can cause similar symptoms in both children and adults. But in some children, only their head may drop. This is common in babies, who are unable to stand.

What to do if you or someone else is having an atonic seizure

If you think you’re having an atonic seizure, try to stay calm. This type of seizure is brief.If you think someone else is having an atonic seizure, stay with them until they regain movement or consciousness.Typically, first aid for atonic seizures isn’t required unless you or the person get hurt during a fall.

When to see a doctor

Visit a doctor if you suddenly lose muscle tone, even for a few seconds. A doctor can diagnose your symptoms.If you’ve already been diagnosed with atonic seizures, keep seeing your doctor. Let them know if you develop unusual or additional symptoms.Get medical help if you have:

• loss of muscle tone that lasts more than 15 seconds
• loss of consciousness that lasts longer than usual
• unusual muscle twitching or jerking
• an injury during a seizure

MEDICAL EMERGENCYAlthough most seizures aren’t a medical emergency, some scenarios require immediate help. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if a person:

• has a first-time seizure
• has a seizure that lasts for more than 5 minutes
• has multiple seizures in a short time
• loses consciousness
• has trouble breathing or waking up after the seizure
• is pregnant and having seizure
• has a chronic condition, like heart disease, and is having a seizure
• is injured during a seizure

Atonic seizures treatment

The best treatment depends on several factors, including:

• your age
• how often you have seizures
• the severity of your seizures
• your overall heath

Treatments include:

Anti-epilepsy drugs

Anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) are the most common form of seizure treatment.However, atonic seizures often respond poorly to AEDs. You’ll likely need another treatment along with AEDs.

Dietary changes

A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet is used to treat seizures in children. This may include the ketogenic diet or modified Atkins diet.It’s important to work with a dietitian and neurologist when eating a high-fat diet for seizuresTrusted Source. They can help you avoid the side effects of these diets.

Vagus nerve stimulation

If multiple AEDs fail to reduce atonic seizures, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) might be an option.Your vagus nerve sends information between your brain and rest of your body. VNS uses a device, which is implanted under the skin on your chest, to stimulate the nerve. This reduces the frequency of seizures.

Brain surgery

Brain surgery might be recommended if atonic seizures don’t respond to AEDs. This involves a procedure called corpus callosotomy.During the surgery, a surgeon disconnects the two sides of the brain. This stops abnormal electrical discharges from spreading from one side to the other.The procedure is usually more effective than VNS.

How are atonic seizures diagnosed?

To diagnose atonic seizures, your doctor will use:

• Medical history. Your symptoms and activities before the seizure will help your doctor determine what caused it.
• Family history. Epilepsy can be genetic. Your doctor will ask questions about your family history.
• Electroencephalogram. An electroencephalogram (EEG) can show abnormal brain activity.
• Imaging tests. Imaging tests can show if a lesion or structural problem is causing your seizures. This includes tests like a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT) scan.
• Blood tests. Your doctor will look for abnormal markers, like electrolytes, that may be causing your seizures.
• Tests to check your heart. Abnormal heart rhythms or blood pressure levels can leads to falls. Your doctor can use various tests to rule out these conditions.

Takeaway

Atonic seizures, or drop attacks, are brief seizures that cause sudden muscle limpness. You might fall or drop an item. In babies and children, the head might drop.These seizures are rare. They’re more common in children than adults, as they typically appear in childhood. But they can continue into adulthood.Often, anti-epilepsy drugs are unable to control atonic seizures. A high-fat diet, vagus nerve stimulation, or brain surgery might be necessary. If you think you or your child has atonic seizures, see a doctor. 

SOURCE: Healthline.com by K. Nunez