Exam #01i - Anticonvulsants Flashcards
This condition is defined as an abnormal, synchronized, excessive discharge of a population of cortical neurons?
seizure
What condition is characterized by chronic, recurring seizures?
epilepsy
What criteria can you use to diagnose a patient with epilepsy (HINT: # of seizures in time period)?
occurrence of 2 unprovoked seizures separated by 24 hours
List (8) causes of seizures?
- illness (tumor, stroke, meningitis)
- infection
- injury/trauma
- genetic
- high fever
- children with cerebral palsy or mental retardation
- Alzheimer’s
- withdrawal from alcohol or drugs
What is a mutation in an ion channel called?
chanelopathy
True or False - anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are only meant to control epilepsy, not cure the disorder?
True
True or False AED CANNOT prevent the development of epilepsy in individuals who have acquired a risk for seizures?
True
Which seizure type may start as a small part of the brain thens spread to several areas of the brain?
Secondary generalized seizure
Which seizure type is characterized by motor, sensory, and speech disturbances, but NO loss of consciousness (in other words, the patient is fully aware of what is happening and can describe it)
partial (focal) seizure
What type of general seizure is characterized by a sudden jerk or so called “lightening bolt response?”
Myoclonic seizure
What phase of a grand mal seizure is characterized by quick loss of consciousness followed by sudden tensing of skeletal muscles, with the entire phase only lasting a few seconds?
tonic phase
What phase of a grand mal seizure is characterized by convulsions
clonic phase
What seizure type is characterized by loss of muscle tone?
atonic seizure
True or False - tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure affects the entire brain?
True
Which type of seizure is the most common type associated with epilepsy?
Grand mal
What disorder does this describe: prolonged depolarization and dysfunction of Na+ channels (channelopathy)?
epilepsy
In the normal brain, what is excitatory neurotransmission modulated by? In the normal brain, what is inhibitory neurotransmission modulated by?
excitatory modulated by voltage-gated ion channels
inhibitory modulated by GABA
Name the (3) ways hyperexcitability can be normalized?
- inhibit activation of Na+ and Ca2+ channels
- prolong inactivation of Na+ channels
- increase inhibition by increasing [GABA]
What types of seizures are sodium channel blockers indicated for?
partial and generalized tonic-clonic seziures
List (7) Na+ channel blocker anti-seizure drugs?
- Carbamazepine
- Phenytoin
- Valproate
- Zonisamide
- Lamotrigine
- Lacosamide
- Rufinamide
Which (2) Na+ channel blocker anti-seizure drugs should not be given together b/c of risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
Valproate + Lamotrigine
Valproate inhibits the metabolism of Lamotrigine
What type of anti-seizure drugs are important in treating absence seizures that originate in the thalamus?
Ca2+ channel blockers