Antiepileptic drugs

Question 1

What are the 2 types of seizures?

Answer 1

Partial or generalised

Question 2

Localised abnormal brain activity

Answer 2

partial

Question 3

Whole brain abnormal activity

Answer 3

generalised

Question 4

2 types of generalised seizure

Answer 4

petit mal (absence); grand mal (tonic-clonic)

Question 5

What is the neurochemical cause of epilepsy?

Answer 5

deficit in GABA-mediated neuronal inhibition; increase in excitatory transmission

Question 6

3 main mechanisms of epilepsy drug treatment?

Answer 6

increase GABA action; decrease Na+ channel function; decrease Ca++ channel function

Question 7

Example of epileptic drugs that increase GABA action

Answer 7

phentobarbital; benzodiazepines; valporate

Question 8

Example of epileptic drugs that decrease Na+ channel function

Answer 8

carbamazepine; phenytoin

Question 9

Example of epileptic drugs that decrease Ca++ channel function

Answer 9

ethosuximide; valproate

Question 10

What is the main aim of an epileptic drug?

Answer 10

to stabilise the neuronal membrane