Which seizure type is characterized by brief lapses of consciousness with no postictal state?

Absence seizures are characterized by brief lapses of consciousness that typically last only a few seconds. During an absence seizure, the individual may appear to be staring blankly and does not respond to external stimuli. After the seizure, there is no postictal state, meaning that the individual regains full awareness immediately and can resume normal activities without confusion or tiredness, which is a hallmark of these types of seizures.

This contrasts with other seizure types where postictal confusion may occur. In tonic-clonic seizures, individuals experience a significant loss of consciousness and postictal symptoms like confusion and muscle soreness afterward. Complex partial seizures involve impaired consciousness along with potentially prolonged confusion after the event. Simple partial seizures, while they may not affect consciousness, typically do not involve the complete loss of awareness as seen in absence seizures. Thus, the defining characteristics of absence seizures make them the correct choice in this scenario.