What type of seizures are characterized by brief lapses in attention or staring spells?

Absence seizures, also known as petit mal seizures, are specifically characterized by brief lapses in attention or staring spells. During these episodes, the individual may appear to be "zoned out" or distracted, with no awareness of their surroundings. These seizures are typically quite short, lasting only a few seconds, and they can occur multiple times throughout the day.

The hallmark feature of absence seizures is the sudden interruption of ongoing activities, which distinguishes them from other types of seizures. Unlike focal seizures, which may involve more localized brain activity and can result in a range of symptoms based on the affected area, or generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which involve both hemispheres of the brain and typically manifest with convulsions and loss of consciousness, absence seizures do not usually have such pronounced motor features or prolonged loss of awareness. Additionally, complex partial seizures involve altered awareness and can include various other symptoms, but they are more complex in their presentation than the straightforward staring spells seen in absence seizures.