Ch 24: Drugs for Epilepsy

Question 1

Seizure and convulsion are not synonymous. What is a convulsion?

Answer 1

Convulsion has a more limited definition, applying only to abnormal motor phenomena such as the repetitive jerking movements that occur during a tonic-clonic seizure.

(p. 216)

Question 2

Simple partial seizures are distinguished from complex partial seizures in that there is no…

Answer 2

…loss of consciousness.

p. 217

Question 3

What are the 5 basic mechanisms by which antiepileptic drugs work?

Answer 3

1. suppression of sodium influx
2. suppression of calcium influx
3. promotion of potassium efflux
4. blockade of receptors for glutamate
5. potentiation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

(p. 218)