preictal
Pronunciation: pree-IK-tal
Occurring before a seizure, describing the period of premonitory symptoms or EEG changes preceding the ictal event.
Full Definition
The preictal period encompasses the minutes to hours before seizure onset, during which patients may experience warning signs, mood changes, or subtle behavioral alterations. Some patients report consistent preictal symptoms that serve as seizure warnings, while others show EEG changes without clinical awareness. Preictal phenomena can include anxiety, irritability, headache, or specific sensory experiences. Recognition of preictal patterns can help with seizure management and safety planning.
Usage
Usage note: Part of seizure temporal classification; distinguish from aura which is technically part of the ictal event.
In Context
- "The patient consistently reported preictal anxiety occurring 30 minutes before seizures." — Seizure diary analysis
- "EEG monitoring revealed preictal spike activity without clinical correlate." — Epilepsy monitoring unit report