Not exactly — they're related but not the same thing. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of focal epilepsy, meaning seizures that start in one side of the brain. So all temporal lobe seizures are focal seizures, but not all focal seizures are temporal lobe seizures. Within TLE specifically, there are two Show Full Answer
Not exactly — they're related but not the same thing. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of focal epilepsy, meaning seizures that start in one side of the brain. So all temporal lobe seizures are focal seizures, but not all focal seizures are temporal lobe seizures. Within TLE specifically, there are two subtypes based on where exactly in the temporal lobe the seizure begins:
- Mesial TLE – seizures start in the inner structures of the temporal lobe, like the hippocampus or amygdala
- Neocortical TLE – seizures start in the outer part of the temporal lobe
So "mesial temporal lobe seizures" are a more specific type within the broader category of focal temporal lobe seizures.
Both types are further described by awareness level — either focal onset aware (you remain conscious) or focal onset impaired awareness (consciousness is affected).
July 31
My temporal lobe seizures start on the left side of my brain but then they strengthen and spread to both sides of my brain through the corpus callosum
July 31 (edited)
Join
Your Privacy Choices
