anticonvulsants

Question 1

define epilepsy

Answer 1

neurological condition causing frequent seizures (affects 2-7% of population)

Question 2

define seizure

Answer 2

sudden changes in behaviour caused by electrical hypersynchronisation of neuronal networks in cerebral cortex (brain hyperactivity)

Question 3

2 ways brain activity can be measured to diagnose epilepsy

Answer 3

EEG, MRI

Question 4

where do general seizures begin

Answer 4

simultaneously in both hemispheres of brain

Question 5

5 types of general seizures

Answer 5

tonic-clonic, absence, tonic/atonic, myoclonic, status epilepticus

Question 6

describe process of tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 6

loss of consciousness -> muscle stiffening -> jerking/twitching -> deep sleep -> wakes up

Question 7

describe absence seizures

Answer 7

brief staring episodes with behavioural arrest (lose muscle activity so fall, but no jerking/twitching)

Question 8

describe tonic/atonic seizures

Answer 8

sudden muscle stiffening/sudden loss of muscle control

Question 9

describe myoclonic seizures

Answer 9

sudden, brief muscle contractions (and relaxation)

Question 10

describe status epilepticus (most dangerous type)

Answer 10

> 5 minutes of continuous seizure activity

Question 11

where do partial/focal seizures begin

Answer 11

within a particular area of brain, and may spread out (may be due to previous localised trauma)

Question 12

2 types of partial/focal seizures, and difference

Answer 12

simple (retained awareness and consciousness), complex (impaired awareness and consciousness)

Question 13

what do partial/focal seizure symptoms depend on

Answer 13

area of brain affected