Ictal
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Ictal refers to a physiologic state or event such as a seizure, stroke or headache. The word originates from the Latin ictus, meaning a blow or a stroke. In electroencephalography, or EEG, the recording during an actual seizure is said to be “ictal”.
Post-ictal refers to the state shortly after the event.
Inter-ictal refers to the period of time between seizure or convulsion in epilepsy. For most people with epilepsy, the inter-ictal state corresponds to more than 99% of their life. The inter-ictal period is often used by neurologists when diagnosing epilepsy since an EEG trace will often show small spikes and other abnormalities, known by neurologists as subclinical seizures. Inter-ictal EEG discharges are those abnormal waveforms not associated with seizure symptoms.
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