Temporal lobe seizures originate in the temporal lobe(s) of the brain. A seizure is an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can involve loss of consciousness or reduction of consciousness and/or involuntary movements and overwhelming sensations.

Temporal lobe seizures can affect people of any age, and can occur as a single episode or can be repeated as part of a chronic condition (See seizure disorder - epilepsy).

Transmission of information from nerve cell to nerve cell occurs by an electrochemical process. This process can be detected as electrical activity by an electroencephalograph (EEG).

Certain patterns of electrical activity can cause seizures, which are episodes when electrical signals spread in abnormal patterns within the brain. Given sufficient circumstances (such as exposure to certain drugs, high fever, or electrical stimulation), anyone can have a seizure.

Specific causes of temporal lobe seizures most commonly include localized areas of damage in the temporal lobe of the brain. This may result in scarring called mesial temporal sclerosis.

Causes can include traumatic injury, infection, damage to a portion of the temporal lobe due to lack of oxygen (ischemia or infarction), brain tumors, genetic syndromes, and discrete lesions of any sort.

As the temporal lobe is involved in processing emotion and sensations, seizures in this area may begin with feelings of fear, feelings of joy (sometimes with religious associations and the sensation of a "presence"), recall of certain music, or smells and other unusual symptoms.