NeuroPathology - Hydrocephalus & Epilepsy Objectives Flashcards
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic, noncommunicable disease of at least two or more seizures of the brain that affects all ages.
What are Seizures?
Excessive discharge of cerebral neurons resulting in transient impairment or LOC
What is the most preventable cause of epilepsy?
head trauma
What is the most common cause of seizures in adults over the age of 50?
stroke, increases risk by 17%
How does a Tonic seizure present in body movements?
muscles in the body become stiff
How does an Atonic seizure present in body movements?
muscles in the body relax
How does a Myoclonic seizure present in body movements?
Short jerking in parts of the body
How does a Clonic seizure present in body movements?
periods of shaking or jerking in parts of the body
Where do Generalized Seizures impact the brain?
Both sides of the brain
Where do Focal seizures impact the brain?
Only part of the brain
What is a secondary generalized seizure?
where a seizure begins in one part of the brain but then spreads and becomes generalized
How does a focal seizure present?
consciousness is not often depressed, twitching, change in sensation, change in taste/smell, *confused/dazed
What is an Absence Seizure (Petit Mal)
Generalized seizure begins diffusely and involves both cerebral hemispheres simultaneously
How does an Absence Seizure present?
sudden cessation of ongoing conscious activity, often staring into space, onset/termination is abrupt, minor convulsions
What are symptoms of a Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) seizure?
sudden LOC, fall, total loss of control, incontinence, headache, disorientation, soreness, mood changes
What structures are involved in a Grand Mal seizure?
brainstem, prefrontal cortex, and basal ganglia mechanism
What are signs of Myoclonic seizures?
typically no loss of consciousness, often cluster shortly after waking or falling asleep, repeated seizures may seem to increase and end in generalized tonic-clonic convulsion
what are signs of atonic seizures?
brief loss of consciousness but no tonic contractions. most common in children with encephalopathy