Epilepsy I Flashcards
recognize the signs of epileptic seizures
paroxysmal change in behavior or movement, or an alteration of consciousness
2 major types of seizures
focal: begins in one area of the cortex; may remain localized or spread to varying degrees including whole cortex (–>grand mal)
generalized: generalized from onset (cortex as a whole may be hyper-irritable)
- Deep gray matter structures normally send frequent diffuse inputs to the widespread areas of the cerebral cortex. In these patients, these inputs can be over-reacted to, and a seizure occurs.
- -includes absence: which involve widespread areas of the cortex but probably not all layers of neurons; varying levels of cognitive impairment/unawareness
the difference between a generalized tonic-clonic seizure and a focal seizure that evolves into a convulsive seizure
- focal sz start locally and can evolve into convulsive seizure
- generalized tonic-clonic involve widespread areas from onset
Differentiate between a partial complex seizure and an absence seizure.
Both of these consist of a period of altered mental status UNaccompanied by major motor manifestations.
Simple behavior such as chewing and picking at clothing (automatisms) are more common in partial complex seizures, but may also be seen in absences.
In general, partial complex seizures are followed by a postictal state whereas most absence seizures are not.
Most common cause of epilepsy
The most common cause of epilepsy is a person of any age is unknown
Trauma as a cause is less than 10%
Are absence sz only in children?
No, more common in kids but adults can have them too.
epidemiology
0.7 % have epilepsy
10% of us will have a seizure in our lifetime
seizure
Seizure - an event characterized by excessive synchronous activity of cerebral cortical neurons
50%: unknown cause
epilepsy
Epilepsy – an underlying abnormality of the brain that predisposes the person to seizures
