Epilepsy 1

Question 1

symptoms of seizures

Answer 1

visual and auditory hallucinations
tonicity, spasms, clonus

alteration of consciousness
paroxysmal (sudden change) in behavior/consciousness

Question 2

etiologies of epileptic seizures

neuronal level

Answer 2

occur because cerebral cortical neurons fire excessively

Question 3

most common etiology of epilepsy

Answer 3

cryptogenic = unknown cause

Question 4

causes of seizures in children

Answer 4

FEVER IS NOT EPILEPSY

1) genetic predisp of disease involving cortex

2) infection = febrile
3) trauma
4) congenital
5) metab disturbances

Question 5

causes of seizures in adults

Answer 5

1) stroke
2) tumor = meningioma, cavenrous hemangioma
3) trauma
4) metabolic disorder = atherosclerosis = subclinical cerebral infarcts
5) infection

Question 6

bilateral limbic circuits involved in what seizures

Answer 6

partial complex seizures originate in temporal lobe = NOT TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY

Question 7

seizures begin in 1 of 2 ways

Answer 7

1) focal, localized = partial

2) diffusely around cortex = generalized

Question 8

describe partial seizures

1) origin
2) simple partial
3) complex partial

Answer 8

1) 1 area then spread (if spread = secondary generalized seizure)

2) simple = conscious awareness and memory intact
cortex involved usu
can become secondary general or complex

3) complex = impaired consciousness 
hippocampal involve b/l = memory loss
post-ictal state
most common seizure
can become secondary generalized

Question 9

primary generalized tonic-clonic seizure

1) origin
2) characterized by what symtpoms

3) compare to secondary generalized

Answer 9

1) start diffuse since cortex is hyperexcitable
2) alternating stiffness and jerky movements
3) secondary looks same but preceded by partial seizure

Question 10

subcategories of primary generalized and describe

Answer 10

1( myoclonic = motor layers, rapid contract face, neck, shoulders

2) generalized tonic-clonic = most common, preceded by HA, mood change, lethargy,
violent jerk of arms and legs

3) absence = staring/eye blinking
no memory

Question 11

describe complex parital

usu preceded by…

what happens during seizure

how long last

where usu start

Answer 11

impaired consciousness and memory usu with confused post-ictal state

usu preceded by seizure aura

during seizure
1) automatisms = spontaneous purposelss motor/verbal behavior without conscious control

last 1 minute

usu start in temporal lobe

Question 12

describe primary generalized absence seizure

describe symptoms

usu what age

precipitated by…

memory or not?

Answer 12

starts diffuse from many brain area but only affect afferent cortex layers

blank stare without motor component

usu children 60% outgrow

precipitated by hyperventilation

no memory