toggle mobile menu Menu
toggle search menu

Site Navigation

Supplemental

Menu

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Overview

Temporal lobe epilepsy involves the portions of the brain that control emotions and memory. The temporal lobes are located on each side of the head just above the ears at the temples. Temporal lobe epilepsy can cause both partial and generalized seizures.

Temporal lobe seizures cause behaviors such as smacking of the lips or rubbing the hands together. Other features of the seizures may include emotional or thought disturbances and hallucinations involving sounds, smells, or tastes.

Treatment with medicine controls seizures in many people who have temporal lobe epilepsy. A type of brain surgery called anterior temporal lobectomy is another treatment option for people with this type of epilepsy.

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: April 30, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Healthwise is a URAC accredited health web site content provider. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

© 1995- Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.