Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
interictal
Referring to the period between seizures in patients with epilepsy, when no obvious seizure activity is occurring.
Full Definition
The interictal period encompasses the time between clinical seizures when patients appear neurologically normal or at baseline. However, EEG monitoring may still reveal interictal epileptiform discharges (spikes, sharp waves) that help localize seizure foci and confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy. Interictal findings on neuroimaging, neuropsychological testing, and other studies provide important information about the underlying epileptic process and its effects on brain function between seizures.
Usage
Usage note: Part of the standard ictal/interictal/postictal terminology for epilepsy documentation.
In Context
- "Interictal EEG showed frequent left temporal sharp waves during sleep." — Electroencephalography report
- "The patient's interictal cognitive testing revealed subtle memory deficits." — Neuropsychological assessment
Also known as
between seizures
inter-seizure period
Contrasted with
ictal
postictal
preictal
Don't confuse with
postictal
subclinical seizure
baseline state