WEEK 1 - Seizure and Epilepsy

Question 1

Define ‘seizure’

Answer 1

an abrupt and transient episode of abnormal (excessive & synchronous, “paroxysmal”) cortical neuron activity resulting in disordered brain activity and corresponding clinical manifestations

Question 2

What is are the two types of provoked seizure?

Answer 2

primary central nervous system (CNS) insults:
- cerebral lesions, encephalopathy, bacterial or viral infections, head trauma, haemorrhage/stroke, perinatal trauma
systemic metabolic conditions and biochemical disorders:
- electrolyte imbalances (Na+), hypo/hyperglycaemia, hypoxia, uraemia, alcohol withdrawal, prescription medications, illicit drugs, caffeine, fever

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of a provoked seizure

Answer 3

abnormal neuronal firing caused by changes in membrane permeability to ions

Question 4

What is an unprovoked seizure?

Answer 4

thought to be the result of the complex genetic mutations with environmental effects

Question 5

What is the identifiable epileptogenic focus of an unprovoked seizure?

Answer 5

The identifiable epileptogenic focus is mores sensitive to environmental conditions and cortical excitation can spread

Question 6

What does pathophysiology of a provoked seizure

Answer 6

Leading to abnormalities to neuronal physiology caused by changes in membrane permeability to ions

Question 7

What is the traditional definition of epilepsy?

Answer 7

2 or more recurrent unprovoked seizures OR a single seizure with an abnormal EEG, CT/MRI findings

Question 8

What are periods between seizure like?

Answer 8

Period between seizures vary widely, but characteristically seizures reoccur