Epilepsy and neuroplasticity Flashcards
What is epilepsy?
A chronic medical condition produced by temporary changes in the electrical function of the brain, causing seizures which affect awareness, movement or sensation
How much of the population is affected?
0.5-1% of the population
What is an idiopathic disease?
A disease with no single cause
What do the symptoms of epilepsy depend on?
The type of epilepsy and the areas of the brain affected
Why isn’t a diagnosis of epilepsy very informative?
Due to the heterogeneity of disease types, that will affect the individual and require treatment in quite different ways
What are the two types of epilepsy?
Partial and generalised
What is partial epilepsy?
Simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures
What is generalised epilepsy?
Grand mal seizures, petit mal seizures
Where are simple partial seizures localised to?
Localised to specific parts of the brain - partial
What are the effects of simple partial seizures?
Localised effects that are usually sensory and/or motor
e.g localised jerking beginning in right hand and progressing to clonic movements of entire right arm - a focal motor seizure (known as Jacksonian March progression)
What are Jacksonian March progressions produced by?
In the arm - epileptiform activity in the motor cortex that controls the arm
Where are complex partial seizures localised to?
Specific areas of the brain
Why are complex partial seizures known as complex?
Called complex because their effects are complex and diverse
What are complex partial seizures also called?
Focal onset impaired awareness seizures
What are complex partial seizures associated with?
Apparently ordered/co-ordinate, but inappropriate motor behaviour
E.g running, chewing, buttoning
