Atonic Seizures

What Is An Atonic Seizure?

Muscle “tone” is the muscle’s normal tension. “Atonic” (a-TON-ik) means “without tone.” So in an atonic seizure, muscles suddenly lose tone and become limp.

These seizures can occur suddenly. Part or all of the body may become limp. The eyelids may droop, the head may nod or drop forward, and the person may drop things.
If standing, the person often falls to the ground.
These seizures typically last less than 15 seconds.
People may get injured when they fall. Head protection, such as a helmet or other protective gear, may be needed.
These seizures are also called “drop attacks” or “drop seizures.”

How Can I Tell If Someone Is Having an atonic seizure?

In an atonic seizure, the person’s body will suddenly become limp.

If sitting, their head or upper body may slump over.
If standing, the person may fall limply to the ground. Since the muscles are weak or limp, the person falls like a rag doll.
When a person’s muscles are stiff or rigid, they will fall like a tree trunk. These are usually called tonic seizures.

Atonic Seizures in LGS

(WARNING! Graphic Content)

_{*It was hard for our medical reviewers to say with 100% certainty that this was an atonic (loss of muscle tone) seizure. It could also be a tonic seizure where the force of the tonic (muscle stiffening) leads to the fall. Most agreed, however, this was an atonic seizure.}

^{Thank you to the families who shared these heartbreaking videos with us so we may educate others. An EEG is the only way to determine the exact seizure type. We did not have EEG for these videos so thank you to the physicians, who, as a part of their daily practice, regularly review videos of their patients having seizures and have reviewed these videos to help us best determine the seizure type represented.}

First aid:

These seizures are usually very quick. Do all you can to keep the person safe during these seizures. If your loved one has these seizures, they should be kept in safe, padded areas and wear a seizure helmet whenever possible.

Emergency Care:

A seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes (status epilepticus), or three seizures in a row without a clear recovery between them (seizure cluster), is a medical emergency. Administer at-home seizure rescue medication immediately and if the seizure does not resolve, call for emergency help.

_{The information here is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. Content provided is for informational purposes only. LGSF is not responsible for actions taken based on the information included on this webpage. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options.}

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Updated February 10, 2022