Abstracts

Rationale: Historically auras have been viewed as clinical evidence of partial seizures.Methods: In a prospective fashion we investigated the prevalence of auras in patients with generalized from onset seizures compared to patients with partial onset seizures in an out-patient Epilepsy clinic. A three question survey was completed by the patients. Aura frequency and description was obtained in patients that reported auras. Results: Auras occurred more frequently in patients with partial onset seizures (37 of 49 patients - 76%) than generalized from onset seizures (5 of 17 patients - 29%) when classified by strict EEG criteria and the difference was statistically significant. When seizures were reclassified based on the clinical impression of the treating physician, there was no statistical significant difference between patients who reported auras, with partial onset seizures (70%) from those with generalized from onset seizures (48%). Conclusions: Auras are more frequent in patients with partial seizures when compared to patients with generalized from onset seizures. However, auras are relatively common in patients with generalized from onset seizures and therefore cannot not be reliably used as clear clinical evidence of partial onset seizures.