What are Atonic Seizures?
When a person has a seizure in that part of the brain responsible for muscle tone, their neck, arms, legs or trunk muscles suddenly go limp without warning. The head drops, the arms lose their grip, the legs lose strength or they fall to the ground. This is called an atonic seizure: “a” meaning non and “tonic” meaning stiff. Atonic seizures last just a few seconds. Because they involve such sudden drops without warning, these seizures-known as “drop attacks” –are especially dangerous. People with atonic seizures may have to wear a helmet to protect their heads from injury.
