What type of seizures are known for impairing consciousness and can be preceded by an aura?

Complex partial seizures are characterized by the impairment of consciousness and often feature a preceding aura. An aura is a perceptual disturbance experienced before the onset of the seizure and may include sensations such as unusual smells, tastes, or feelings, which serve as a warning sign for the individual.

During a complex partial seizure, the individual may exhibit automatisms, which are involuntary, repetitive movements, such as lip-smacking or hand movement. These types of seizures typically originate in a specific area of the brain, specifically the temporal lobe, which plays a significant role in memory and emotional responses. The impairment of consciousness means that the person may not be aware of their surroundings during the seizure, making them unable to respond to stimuli appropriately.

In contrast, generalized seizures involve the entire brain from the onset and lead to a loss of consciousness, but they do not typically include an aura that precedes them. Simple partial seizures, while they can involve focal neurological symptoms, do not lead to an impairment of consciousness, and tonic-clonic seizures, while they also involve loss of consciousness, do not have a notable aura associated with them. Therefore, complex partial seizures are uniquely identified by both impaired consciousness and the potential presence of an aura.