Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Aura
Pronunciation: OR-ah
Subjective sensory or psychic phenomenon preceding or beginning a seizure.
Full Definition
An aura represents the subjective experience at seizure onset, now classified as a focal aware seizure rather than a pre-seizure warning. Auras can manifest as sensory, psychic, autonomic, or motor phenomena and provide crucial localizing information for seizure focus identification. Editors must understand that patient-reported auras constitute actual seizure activity and should be documented with the same precision as witnessed seizure manifestations.
Usage
Usage note: Recognize as focal aware seizure per current ILAE classification, not just a warning sign.
In Context
- "The patient described an epigastric rising sensation as her typical aura." — Epilepsy clinic interview
- "Olfactory auras preceded the patient's complex partial seizures." — Presurgical evaluation
Also known as
focal aware seizure
Don't confuse with
prodrome
simple partial seizure