Epilepsy Flashcards
Q: What is epilepsy?
A: A state where part or the entire brain becomes hyperexcitable, losing its inhibitory function.
Q: Is epilepsy a disease?
A: No, it is a symptom.
Q: What are common causes of epilepsy?
A: Head injury, tumor, infection, vascular disease, and genetic disposition.
Q: What were the two types of seizures in historical classification?
A: Grand Mal (“big sickness”) and Petit Mal (“little sickness”).
Q: How are seizures classified today?
A: Generalized seizures and partial seizures.
Q: What characterizes generalized seizures?
A: Involve the whole brain, often with loss of consciousness, and large synchronous EEG waves.
Q: What are the physical phases of a generalized seizure?
Tonic: Stiffening of muscles and jaw clenching.
Clonic: Jerking of limbs and torso.
Atonia: Limpness and regained consciousness.
Q: What characterizes partial seizures?
A: Begin in a localized area (focus) and may spread to the entire brain.
Q: What are the three types of partial seizures?
Simple Seizures: Focal events with sensory, motor, or psychic symptoms.
Secondary Generalized: Begin at a focus and spread throughout the brain.
Complex Partial: Altered awareness with sensory or motor elements.
Q: What are common symptoms of simple partial seizures based on the brain area involved?
Motor cortex: Jerking or twitching.
Occipital lobe: Vivid images or flashing lights.
Temporal lobe: Mood changes.
Q: What are common features of complex partial seizures?
A: Altered awareness, déjà vu, jamais vu, and feelings of terror, panic, or ecstasy.
Q: What are absence seizures, and who is most affected?
A: Seizures characterized by sudden interruptions in activity, common in children aged 4–14.
Q: What is the characteristic EEG pattern in absence seizures?
A: 3 spikes per second.
Q: What determines the neuropsychological impact of epilepsy?
A: The seizure locus, type, and length.
Q: How does the age of onset affect cognitive impairments in epilepsy?
A: Younger age of onset leads to greater impairments.
