seizure

Question 1

simple or complex are used to describe

Answer 1

partial seizures

these are limited to certain regions of the brain

Question 2

most common location of a partial seizure

Answer 2

temporal lobe

Question 3

a seizure is avoided when a brain works in this way

Answer 3

2. Brain works when nerve cells fire and light up specific networks in SEQUENCE

Question 4

seizure theories

Answer 4

a. Altered membrane permeability
b. Ion distribution
c. Changes in neuronal excitability/channel activity

Question 5

most common form of partial seizure

Answer 5

temporal lobe complex seizure

the worry is that they will become generalized seizures this happens about a 1/3 of the time

Question 6

ddx for a potential seizure and what should you do to differentiate

Answer 6

movement disorders
tremors
migraines
sleep disturbances

need to ask about a history of trauma illness infection or traumatic injury
for anything concerning you need to do a neuro consult

Question 7

when do you tx and what is the tx for a seizure

Answer 7

epileptic are effective you just have to consider the side effects

always treat after second seizure
treat after first if risk factors indicate this

Question 8

generalized seizures can be

Answer 8

absent -no movement
tonic-drop attack
myoclonic- jerking
tonic-clonic: oppositional muscle group seizure activity

Question 9

absence seizure

Answer 9

nonconvulsive: very short episodes of conscious detachment (complex), may occur 10s-100s per day

Question 10

loss of muscle tone leading to fall

Answer 10

b. Atonic - “drop”

Question 11

is there loss of consciousness in a atonic seizure?

Answer 11

i. No loss of consciousness but pt probably has amnesia for the duration of the event

Question 12

rigidity during the duration of the seizure

Answer 12

c. Myoclonic

Question 13

why does blowing on a piece of paper cause a seizure

Answer 13

metabolic stress

Question 14

iii. Post-ictal period

Answer 14

1. Brain recovery –> it hypoperfuses itself; it reduces its own metabolism.
   a. Lowers blood flow
   b. And so the result of the that is - brain isn’t working very well, pt experiences severe fatigue, they are lucid

Question 15

should you do imaging for a concussion

Answer 15

i. NO IMAGING FINDING

1. Only do the CAT to see if there is a bleed

Question 16

how long does it take brain metabolism to recover after a concussion

Answer 16

i. Brain is hypo-metabolic after injury so that it can heal and it takes about 30 days for metabolism to come back to normal

Question 17

1. N-acetylaspartate

Answer 17

taken up into cells like sugar. They tagged it and did PET scan to see uptake of NAA after brain trauma to take a look at metabolic activity

used to measure brain metabolism post concussion

Question 18

One of the most important thing you can do after a concussion

Answer 18

e. One of the most important thing you can do is prevent a second concussive event