Epilepsy Flashcards
what is epilepsy?
repeated occurrence of sudden excessive or synchronous discharges in the cerebral cortical neurones
what is the cellular marker of epilepsy?
paroxysmal depolarizing shift
what are the 2 classifications of epilepsy?
partial seizure: local discharge from one area of the brain
primary generalised seizure: widespread discharge from both sides of the brain
what are the different types of partial seizures?
- simple partial – motor spasms, sensory hallucinations
- complex partial – loss of consciousness
- secondary generalized – partial spread to generalized
what are different types of generalised seizures?
- absence – brief interruption of consciousness
- tonic-clonic – cycle of muscles tensing and convulsions
- myoclonic – brief contraction of muscles
- atonic – loss of muscle tone
what is status epileticus?
repeated seizures with no recovery between attacks. MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Phenytoin
use?
Sodium channel blocker
epilepsy
Carbamazepine
use?
Sodium channel blocker
partial seziures
Valproate
use?
- Sodium channel blocker
- GABA transaminase inhibitor
generalised seizures:
Tonic-clonic
absence
Ethosuximide/
Gabapentin
use?
Calcium channel blocker
*Gabapentin also has slight sodium channel blocker activity
generalised seizures:
absence
Clonazepam
use?
positive allosteric modulator of GABAa receptor
emergency- status epilepticus (IV)
Phenobarbitone
use?
potentiate GABA effects
epilepsy
Lamotrigine
use?
- Voltage- and use-dependent inhibition of sodium channel blocker (hence very selective for hyperactive neurones)
- inhibition of glutamate release
epilepsy
what is lamotrgine a good option for?
Epilepsy
good for women with childbearing potential as it is not teratogenic
Topiramate
use?
Voltage- and use-dependent inhibition of sodium channel blocker
NMDAR antagonist.
epilepsy
