atonic seizure

Etiology

• see drop attack

Clinical manifestations

• sudden loss of postural tone without warning
• may result in a fall
• extremely short in duration (a few seconds)
• consciousness may or may not be lost
• no postictal state

Differential diagnosis

• cataplexy
• vertebrobasilar ischemia
• vestibular disorder

Management

• agents of choice
  • valproate (Depakote)
• Alternative agents
  • phenobarbital

More general terms

• primary generalized seizure