Pharmacology - Final

Question 1

Epileptic Seizures

Answer 1

Abnormal excessive and synchronous neural activity in the brain that leads to the transient occurence signs and symptoms

Question 2

Epilepsy

Answer 2

Two unprovoked seizures over 24 hrs apart
OR
one unprovoked seizure and probability of further seizures of at least 60% occuring over the next 10 years
OR
diagnosis with an epilepsy syndrome

Question 3

Focal Seizure

Answer 3

aka partial
Involves only part of the brain

Question 4

Types of Focal Seizures

Answer 4

Simple Partial Seizure
Complex Partial Seizure
Secondarily Generalized

Question 5

Simple partial seizure

Answer 5

No impairment of consciousness
Motor, sensory or autonomic symptoms
Duration: less than 60s

Question 6

Complex Partial Seizure

Answer 6

Altered consciousness and behavioural arrest
Duration 1-2 min
Postictal confusion
Motor automatism

Question 7

Secondarily Generalized

Answer 7

Focal seizure that becomes generalized

Question 8

Generalized Seizure

Answer 8

Widespread involvement of the brain
Can be convulsive or non-convulsive

Question 9

Types of generalized seizures

Answer 9

Generalized tonic-clonic
Absence
Myoclonic

Question 10

Generalized tonic-clonic

Answer 10

aka grand mal

loss of consciousness with hyperextension followed by rhythmic full body contractions

Duration 1-2 min
Postictal confusion, stupor and headache

Question 11

Absence

Answer 11

aka petit mal

Sudden impairment of consciousness
Duration:5-10 sec
No seizure

Question 12

Myoclonic

Answer 12

Sudden muscle contractions (jerks) without loss of consciousness

Duration: ms

Question 13

Seizure eitiology

Answer 13

Genetic and development disorders
Trauma
CNS infection
Brain tumour
Substance abuse
Drug withdrawals
Cerebrovascular disease

Question 14

Seizure pathophysiology

Answer 14

Neuronal activity gets synchronized and an imbalance occurring by increasing excitatory mechanisms and decreasing inhibitory mechanisms

Question 15

What excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms are involved in seizures

Answer 15

Increase excitatory (Glutamate, Na, Ca)

Decrease inhibitory (GABA, K)

Question 16

Mechanisms of antiseizure medications (5)

Answer 16

Inhibit glutamate receptos
enhance GABA receptors
Block Na and Ca channels
K channel opener

Question 17

Ways to modulate GABA for seizures

Answer 17

Enhance receptor activation
inhibit reputake
inhibit breakdown

Question 18

Phenobarbital

Answer 18

Older agent
enhances GABA receptor activation for seizures

Question 19

Benzodiazepine

Answer 19

Enhances GABA receptor activation for seizures

Question 20

Tiagabine

Answer 20

Inhibits GABA re-uptake for seizures

Question 21

Vigabatrin

Answer 21

Inhibit GABA breakdown for seizures

Question 22

Gabapentin

Answer 22

Anti-seizure
- GABA modulator
-P/Q Ca channels
Neuropathic pain

Question 23

Ethosuximide

Answer 23

Inhibits T-type Ca channels
Drug choice for Absence Seizures

Question 24

Valproic acid

Answer 24

Broad spectrum anti-seizure medication

Question 25

Pregbalin

Answer 25

Antiseizure med GABA Modulator P/Q type Ca channels

Question 26

Psychomotor stimulants

Answer 26

Amphetamine and related compounds Mephedrone Methylphenyidate Modafinil Cocaine Methylxanthine

Question 27

Amphetamine and related compounds list

Answer 27

Amphetamine (speed) Dextroamphetamine (dexies) Methamphetamine (meth) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstacy)