Anti Convulsants

Question 1

Define seizure:

Answer 1

rapid synchronous and uncontrolled spread of electrical actiivy

Question 2

What are the 4 stages of a seizure?

Answer 2

Prodrome
Aura
Ictus
Post-ictal phase

Question 3

Prodrome

Answer 3

behavioral changes days before the seizure

Question 4

Aura

Answer 4

conscious warning telling something is coming

Question 5

Ictus

Answer 5

seizure event

Question 6

Post-ictal ohase

Answer 6

behavior changes, dazed and confused after event

Question 7

What is epilepsy?

Answer 7

recurrent unprovoked seizures

Question 8

What are the 3 classifications of Epilepsy

Answer 8

focal
partial
generalized

Question 9

Focal seizure

Answer 9

in one brain region, no spread, seen only on EEG

Question 10

Partial seizure

Answer 10

focal limited spread and observed clinically, structural lesions in the forebrain might be a contributing factor

Question 11

What are the two types of partial seizures? what is the difference?

Answer 11

simple partial- no alteration in consciousness, seizure located in motor area of the cerebral hemisphere

complex partial- psychomotor epilepsy; altered consciousness, repetitive behavior, think temporal lobe

Question 12

Generalized seizure

Answer 12

most common form in domestic animals

abrupt loss of consciousness, aka grand mal seizure

Question 13

What is the neurobiology of a seizure?

Answer 13

synchronous neural discharges of a particular population of neurons

imbalances in inhibitory/excitatory neurotransmission

symptoms dependent on brain region affected

extracellular calcium necessary for the initiation and spread of seizures

Question 14

What is “Ictal”

Answer 14

EEG descriptor that that refers to seizure-like; interictal is between seizures

Question 15

What are the general therapeutic strategies available for seizure management?

Answer 15

inhibit voltage gated Na/Cl channels

enhance GABAnergic channels

blockade of excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmitters

Question 16

What are the 4 anti-seizure agents we covered?

Answer 16

Benzodiazepines

barbiturates.

Potassium bromide

carbamazepine/phenytion

Question 17

what is the action/adverse effects of using benzodiazepines as anti-seizure meds?

Answer 17

action: targets GABA receptor, results in hyperpolarization

adverse effects: addictive, hepatotoxic. sedation, not suitable fopr chronic treatment

Diazepam: uselul in stopping cluster seizures,

Question 18

what is the action/adverse effects of using potassium bromide as anti-seizure meds?

Answer 18

action: hyperpolarizes membrane through Br- competing with CL- (forces more Cl- into cell would be my guess

adverse effects: sedation/ataxia main limiting factors

Question 19

what is the action/adverse effects of using barbiturates as anti-seizure meds?

Answer 19

action: raises the seizure threshold

adverse effects: sedation, ataxia, PU/PD, polyphagia, weight gain, hepatoxic in dogs

plasma monitoring necessary to make sure w/in therapeutic range

Question 20

what is the action/adverse effects of using carbamazepine/phenytoin as anti-seizure meds?

Answer 20

action: target inactivation gate of Na channel to keep it open longer-> cannot repolarize, stabilization of neuronal mebrane and decreased excitability

adverse effects:

Question 21

What is the drug of choice for status epilepticus?

Answer 21

Diazepam