Anticonvulsants: part 1

Question 1

Define epilepsy

Answer 1

A neurological condition causing frequent seizures

Question 2

Define seizure

Answer 2

Seizures are “sudden changes in behaviour caused by electrical hypersynchronization of neuronal networks in the cerebral cortex”

Question 3

Prevalence and incidence of epilspesy

Answer 3

Prevalence between 2-7% of the population Incidence increased over the last 30-40 years

Question 4

How is epilepsy diagnosed

Answer 4

Brain activity can be measured using: -Electroencephalography (EEG) -Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)… more specific

Question 5

Two Main Seizure types

Answer 5

General Partial/focal

Question 6

Distinguish types of general seizures

Answer 6

Tonic-clonic Absence Tonic/atonic Myoclonic Status epilepticus

Question 7

Distingish partial/focal seizures

Answer 7

Simple Complex

Question 8

What are general seizures

Answer 8

Begins simultaneously in both hemispheres of brain

Question 9

Outline tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 9

loss of consciousness –> muscle stiffening (=tonic part) –> rhythmic jerking/twitching (=clonic part) –> deep sleep –> wakes up

Question 10

Outlin absence seizures

Answer 10

brief staring episodes with behavioural arrest

Question 11

Tonic/atonic seizure

Answer 11

sudden muscle stiffening/sudden loss of muscle control (similar but doesn’t have the phases in tonic-clonic)

Question 12

Outline myoclonic seizure

Answer 12

sudden, brief muscle contractions

Question 13

Outline status epilepticus

Answer 13

> 5 min of continuous seizure activity

Question 14

What are partial/focus seizues

Answer 14

Begins within a particular area of brain and may spread out

Question 15

Simple vs complex partial/focus seizure

Answer 15

Simple: retained awareness/consciousness Complex: impaired awareness/consciousness