Kennedy recovering after seizure

Senator Edward Kennedy, the lone surviving son in a famed political family who helped define national Democratic Party politics, is recovering in hospital today after suffering a seizure.

Mr Kennedy, 76, did not suffer a stroke and "is not in any immediate danger", said Dr Larry Ronan, the Massachusetts senator's primary care doctor.

"He's resting comfortably, and watching the Red Sox game with his family.

"Over the next couple of days, Senator Kennedy will undergo further evaluation to determine the cause of the seizure, and a course of treatment will be determined at that time."

Mr Kennedy's wife, Victoria, three of his children and his niece Caroline Kennedy were among those with him at the Boston hospital.

Mr Kennedy felt ill at his home yesterday and went to Cape Cod Hospital. After a discussion with his doctors in Boston, the senator was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital.

In October, Mr Kennedy had surgery to repair a nearly-complete blockage in a major neck artery. The discovery was made during a routine examination.

Distinguishing between a seizure and a transient ischemic attack, TIA, often called a mini-stroke, can sometimes be difficult.

Seizures are little electrical storms in the brain. They tend to be brief; an occasional one can happen to anyone even without a prior history of seizures, especially if there has been some prior brain trauma.

Dr Wendy Wright, an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Atlanta, Georgia-based Emory Clinic, said a lot of things could cause seizures, such as an infection or medication.

"Certain medications are known to cause seizures. A stroke can cause a seizure, a brain tumour or a head injury, or something in the brain itself," Dr Wright said. "Common symptoms that we know about are falling on the ground, shaking and having confusion."

Mr Kennedy, the second-longest serving member of the Senate, was elected in 1962, filling out the term won by his brother, John F Kennedy.

Mr Kennedy's eldest brother, Joseph, was killed in a Second World War plane crash. President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and his brother Robert assassinated in 1968.

Edward Kennedy is active for his age, maintaining an aggressive schedule on Capitol Hill and across Massachusetts.

He has been vocal in both his opposition to the Iraq war and support for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, who is trying to become the first senator elected to the White House since John F Kennedy.