Neurology 4 Flashcards
Are febrile fits epilepsy risk factors?
Yes
What can opiods, anti-emetics, antibiotics, analgesics (tramadol), amphetamines and aminophylline/theophylline all cause?
Epilepsy
What investigation is mandatory when approaching the fallen?
ECG
What investigation classifies epilespy, confirms non-epileptic attacks, surgical evaluation and confirms non-convulsive status?
EEG - electroencephalogram - recording brain activity
if you have had one seizure how long can you not drive a caqr for?
6 months
What is the definition of epileptic seizures?
Abnormal synchronisation of neuronal activity
In epiletpic seizures - why does abnornal synchronisation of neuronal activity happen?
Too much excitation
Too little inhibition
Changes
What is a partial simple epileptic seizure?
Without impaired consciousness
What is a partial complex epileptic seizure?
With impaired consciousness
What sensory semiology can partial seizures have?
Olfactory, gustatory, visual and auditory
Can generalised seizures start from a focal point?
Yes
What type of epilepsy: most have genetic predisposition, present in childhood and adolescence, generelaised spike wave abnormalities on EEG, tonic clonic, absence, myoclonic, clonic, tonic and atonic?
Generalised epilepsy
Wake up in morning and are stumbling and clumsy, dropping things?
Generalisd seizures
When does primary generalised epilepsy present?
Childhood or teens
What is treatment of choice for primary generalised epilepsy?
Sodium valproate - lamotrigine as alternative
Give a side effect of sodium valproate?
Teratogenic
What is juvenile myoclonic epilepsy an example of?
primary generalised epilepsy
Early morning jerks, generalised seizures, risk factosr are sleep deprivation, flashing lights?
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
When is the onset of focal onset epilepsy?
Any age - underlying structural cause
What is treatment for focal onset epilepsy?
Carbamazepine or lamotrigine
What can focal onset epilepsy frequently cause?
Complex partial seizures with hippocampal sclerosis
What do AEDs target?
Presynaptic excitability and neurotransmitter release
What do these drugs inhibit - carbamazepine, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin?
Voltage gated sodium channels - influx increases excitability
K+ efflux reduces neuronal excitability, what increases channel activity?
Retigabine
What two drugs inhibit Ca2+ channel influx?
Pregablin and gabapentin
What AED binds to SV2A, interfering with synaptic vesicles and inhibiting neurotransmitter release?
Levetiracetam
What AED enhances GABA synthesis?
Sodium valproate
What AEDs target the GABAA receptor, reduce neuronal excitability and increases GABAA receptor activity?
Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, felbamate, topiramate
What drug targets GABA transaminase to stop degradation of GABA?
Vigabatrin (elevates GABA levels)
What does tiagabine target?
GABA transporter, removes GABA from synapse
What two AED should not be prescribed together?
Sodium valproate and lamotrigine
Give the initial treatment for partial seizures?
Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
What treatment is for generalised seizures (absence)?
- Sodium valproate
2. Ethosuximide
What treatment is for generalised seizures (myoclonic)?
- Sodium valproate
- Levetiracetam
- Clonazepam
What treatment is for generalsied seizures (atonic, tonic, generalised tonic clonic)?
Soidum valproate
What AED causes gum hyperrophy?
Phenytoin
What drug should never bebn given in generalised epilepsy?
Carbamazepine
Give four side effects of sodium valproate?
- Weight gain
- Teratogenic
- Har loss
- Fatigue
What AED is for acute management only, rapid loading possible, enzyme enducer?
Phenytoin