L1: Epilepsy Flashcards
there is excessive __ in epilepsy
there is excessive firing in epilepsy
define epileptic seizures
episodic high frequency discharges by a localised group of neurons in the brain
what is the incidence of epilepsy?
0.5% of the population
what is primary epilepsy?
idiopathic (unknown cause): genetic & environment
what is secondary epilepsy?
epilepsy resulting from brain damage
what does a benzodiazepine pen do and where is it administered?
it reduces the duration of the seizure, it is administered in the buccal cavity
what are partial seizures?
local/focal, discharge localised to one brain region and one brain hemisphere.
what is a simple partial seizure?
consciousness unaffected
what is a complex partial seizures?
where consciousness is affected, can involve temporal lobe (hippocampus)
what do 30% of patients with partial seizures experience?
they sometimes can have generalized seizures, these are then known as secondary generalized seizures
what are generalized seizures?
discharge involving both hemispheres and reticular system, affecting consciousness
what are absense/petit mal seizures?
3 “spike and wave” discharges/second, oscillating feedback between cortex and thalamus. most common in children, presents as “staring spells”
what are tonic-clonic/grand-mal seizures?
tonic phase: muscle spasm, respiration stops, bowel/bladder discharge
clonic phase: release
physical signs include violent jerking, unable to stand.
what type of neurotransmission is increased and what type of neurotransmission is decreased in epilepsy?
excitatory neurotransmission via glutamate is increased and inhibitory neurotransmission via GABA is decreased
what does the altered neurotransmission often cause in epileptic patients?
excitotoxicity
what can BDNF do to neurons?
BDNF can increase membrane excitability
what is the chemical animal model of epilepsy?
IV Kainate injections (glutamate agonist)
what is the physical animal model of epilepsy?
Kindling, repeated low intensity brain stimulation via electrodes
what is the main aim of antiepileptic drugs?
to decrease excitatory (Glutamate) neurotransmission and increase inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmission
give examples of use-dependent Na+ channel block
phenytoin, carbemazepine, lamotrigine, valproate
give examples of Ca2+ channel inhibitors
ethosuximide, gabapentin, phenytoin, valproate
what antiepileptic drugs enhance GABAa activation
phenobarbital, benzodiazepines
what drugs inhibit GABA deaminase (inhibt GABA degradation)
valproate, vigabatrin
what drugs inhibit GABA reuptake
Tigabin
what drugs inhibit glutaminergic transmission
NMDA, AMPA, mGluR antagonists have shown efficacy in animal models.
name some other antiepileptic drug options
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, hormones, cannabidiol, ketogenic diet
what is cannabidiol (CBD) approved for?
Dravett’’s syndrome
what is the mutation in Dravett’s syndrome?
mutation in voltage-gated sodium channel (Na(V)1.1)
what are the three states that Na+ channels can exist in?
open, closed, inactivated
which state do use-dependent Na+ channel blockers act on Na+ channels?
in the inactivated state
describe the mechanism of use-dependent Na+ channel blockers?
enter when ion channel inactive, brings membrane potential to 0, stabilising the receptor
what does Na+ channel blockers preferentially inhibt?
Na+ channel blockers preferentially inhibit neurons that fire repetitively with high frequency, mainly affect neurons that have high-frequency discharge.
what is the most widely used antiepileptic?
Carbemazepine