Pathophysiology of Epilepsy Flashcards
Hyperexcitability of an epileptic brain may be the result of what two factors?
Continuous depolarization or impaired repolarization
What is the most common cause of monogenic epilepsies?
Gene mutation involving ion channels
What is the difference between the tonic and clonic phases of a seizure?
In the tonic phase, muscles become stiff. In the clonic phase, muscles relax and become jerky and twitch
What are the stages of epileptogenesis?
Brain injury/trigger –> latency period –> spontaneous seizures (epilepsy)
What is an absence generalized seizure?
A generalized seizure without movement
How do focal and generalized seizures differ?
Focal seizures occur in one specific area of the brain. Generalized seizures maybe begin as focal seizures, but spread to wider areas.
Generalized onset seizures most commonly involve what group of neurons?
Neurons in thalmocortical circuits
Tumors and abnormal neuronal organization are examples of what seizure etiology?
Structural etiology
What is primarily responsible for the spreading of a seizure in an epileptic brain?
Loss of inhibition by interneurons
What is an example of acquired structural etiology seizures?
Traumatic brain injury, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
Epilepsy is diagnosed based on a tendency for recurrent seizures. A patient must have two spontaneous seizures separated by 24+ hours