An atonic seizure occurs when there is a sudden loss of muscle tone. People with atonic seizures may suddenly drop things or fall to the ground if standing. Many different factors can cause atonic seizures. Doctors typically treat them with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Atonic seizures typically start in childhood and can continue into adulthood. Sometimes the person has just one seizure, or they can have several in a row. They may not be aware that the seizure occurred.
What is an atonic seizure?
An atonic seizure occurs when there is a sudden loss of muscle tone. People with atonic seizures may suddenly drop things or fall to the ground if standing. Many different factors can cause atonic seizures. Doctors typically treat them with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).Atonic seizures typically start in childhood and can continue into adulthood. Sometimes the person has just one seizure, or they can have several in a row. They may not be aware that the seizure occurred.
Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for atonic seizures.
An atonic seizure, also known as a drop seizure, occurs when a person’s muscles lose tone and suddenly go limp. Atonic means “without tone.” This type of seizure typically lasts less than 15 seconds.
There are two types of atonic seizure:
- Focal motor atonic seizure: This occurs when the seizure starts in one part of the brain. It will usually cause a loss of muscle tone only in one part of the body.
- Generalized onset atonic seizure: This occurs when the seizure involves both sides of the brain. It results in a loss of muscle tone or a drop in the head, trunk, or whole body. It also causes confusion or a loss of consciousness.
What are the causes of an atonic seizure?
Researchers do not know exactly what causes atonic seizures. Generally, abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes seizures.
Some possible triggers for seizures include:
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- traumatic brain injury
- your body’s response to an infection in the body (sepsis)
- fever
- sleep deprivation
- an irregular AED schedule
What are the symptoms of an atonic seizure?
The main symptom of an atonic seizure is a sudden loss of muscle tone.
If the person experiencing an atonic seizure is sitting, their head or upper body may droop. If they are standing, they may collapse completely.
An atonic seizure does not typically last long — usually less than 15 seconds. After the seizure, the person may experience some confusion and need to rest. If they injure themselves while falling, they might need medical treatment.
How do doctors diagnose an atonic seizure?
To diagnose an atonic seizure, your doctor will perform a physical examination and get a detailed medical history from you. They will ask about your current health conditions, medications you take, and your lifestyle habits.
Your doctor will attempt to determine whether something triggered the seizure or whether it was unprovoked.
Your doctor may order a few tests, including:
- Electroencephalography: This test records the electrical activity in your brain and is one of the most common tests for diagnosing seizure disorders.
- Blood serum tests: These tests check for atypical levels of substances in your blood. These substances include electrolytes such as glucose, sodium, and potassium.
- MRI scan: This test shows images of the brain’s structures using a magnetic field and radio waves.
- CT scan: This test is a type of X-ray that creates detailed images of the brain tissue and can help identify any brain abnormalities causing the seizures.
- PET scan: This test uses a small amount of radioactive glucose injected by IV into a vein. It allows medical professionals to view blood flow in the brain and monitor brain cell activity to determine how well the brain metabolizes sugar.
What are the treatments for an atonic seizure?
There are several possible treatments for atonic seizures. Your doctor will consider your medical history and the results of diagnostic tests to help determine the right treatment for you.
Medications
AEDs are among the most common treatments for atonic seizures. These drugs work by changing the chemical activity in the brain to stop a seizure from occurring. Some common AEDs include:
- lamotrigine
- carbamazepine
- sodium valproate
- levetiracetam
- topiramate
These drugs come in different forms, such as tablets, liquids, capsules, or syrups. It is common for them to cause side effects, including:
- drowsiness
- headaches
- lack of energy
- hair loss
- tremors
- agitation
- swollen gums
- rashes
If your symptoms are severe or if you get a rash, talk with your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted, or you may be having an allergic reaction to the drug.
Surgery
If AEDs are not working to control your atonic seizures, your doctor may explore the possibility of surgery with you. If surgery is an option for you, the part of the brain that is causing the seizures will be removed. It is possible for the seizures to stop completely after surgery.
Other procedures
If surgery is not an option for you, other procedures may help. These include:
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): This is a small electrical device placed under the skin that is similar to a pacemaker. The device connects to the vagus nerve in your neck and helps control seizures by changing the electrical signals in the brain.
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS): This is similar to VNS, except that the device is connected to wires that go directly to the brain. DBS is a fairly new procedure, and doctors do not use it as often as VNS.
- Responsive neurostimulation: This is a device that connects to electrodes implanted in the brain at seizure-producing sites. The device sends out short electrical pulses when it detects atypical brain activity.
Diet
Some research shows that eating a ketogenic diet can help control seizures in people with drug-resistant epilepsy. This diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and protein.
Experts do not know exactly how the ketogenic diet helps to reduce seizures. Due to the restrictive nature and possible side effects of the diet, you should only attempt it with input and monitoring from your doctor.
Can you prevent an atonic seizure?
The best way to prevent an atonic seizure is by following your doctor’s treatment plan. It is important to follow the dosage instructions if you are taking medication. Do not stop taking it all at once because doing so could cause a seizure.
Knowing your triggers can be helpful. Eating well, exercising, and avoiding drugs and alcohol can help lower your risk of triggering a seizure.
You can also protect your brain by wearing a seatbelt while in a vehicle and wearing a helmet when bike riding or playing contact sports. This can help lower your risk of experiencing a traumatic brain injury.
If you are around someone who is having an atonic seizure, make sure they are in a safe place to lower their risk of injury. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, seek immediate medical care (call 911) for the person or bring them to a nearby emergency room.
Summary
An atonic seizure occurs when there is a sudden loss of muscle tone. The person experiencing a seizure may slump over in their chair or collapse completely if they are standing.
Doctors diagnose atonic seizures by examining your medical history and ordering tests such as brain scans or blood serum panels.
Treatment for atonic seizures includes prescription medications, implantable devices, diet changes, and, in rare cases, surgery. You can lower your risk of having a seizure by following your doctor’s treatment plan and knowing your triggers.
Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you have experienced a seizure.
SOURCE: .healthgrades.com, Allison Flynn Becker
