Atonic seizure is among the four different types of seizure disorders. Epilepsy occurs when the brain fails to control the electrical impulses it sends. This abnormal firing of electrical impulses results to a seizure disorder which brings about temporary loss of consciousness, confusion and muscle twitching. Seizure may originate from one specific part of the brain but this can also be generalized and a typical seizure attack lasts for about a minute or two. Nevertheless, in an atonic seizure, the seizure activity often lasts shorter, usually in just a split second. Only through sophisticated tests that the specific type of seizure taking place would be precisely determined.

This type of seizure is otherwise tagged as drop seizure, akinetic seizure or drop attacks. Without any sort of warning, a drop attack may occur causing an individual to fall due to loss of muscle tone. This is also accompanied by drooping of the eyes and head dropping. Drop seizure normally lasts about 15 seconds or less and the person may not experience loss of consciousness.

Atonic seizure is often a dangerous one because this occurs without due notice. Thus, those who suffered from atonic seizures also experienced serious injuries from fall which result to extreme bruising especially on the head and the face. It is highly recommended that those who have history of atonic seizure disorder should wear a protective gear in case of another drop attack.

Among the other types of generalized seizures, drop seizures are a difficult one to treat using anticonvulsants. With the advent of conventional treatments for seizure disorders such as topiramate, lamotrigine and felbamate, the incidence of atonic seizures have been significantly reduced. Lamotrigine paired with valproic acid is the treatment of choice for atonic seizure, according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). However, for patients who remain unresponsive to the conventional modes of treatment for atonic seizure, a surgery called callostomy may be performed.