Week 5- overview of Epilepsy Flashcards
what is epilepsy?
-is a neurological condition affecting the brain.
what is the definition of epilepsy from ILAE?
as a disease of the brain
• At least 2 unprovoked (or reflex) seizures occurring more than 24hours apart
• One unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures
similar to the general recurrence risk after 2 unprovoked seizures (at least
60%) over the next 10years; or
• Diagnosis of epilepsy syndrome”(1)
what is a seizure?
the transient occurrence of signs or
symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal
activity in the brain
what is the incidences and prevalence for epilepsy?
- affects over 70 million people worldwide.
- Close to 80% of those with epilepsy live in low- to middle income countries(3,4)
what percentage of people with epilepsy aren’t receiving the right treatment~?
75%
who can epilepsy affect?
can affect people of all ages, race, and gender
• Highest in infants and people over 50
-People who have learning difficulties also have higher rates of epilepsy in
comparison to the general population
what is the mortality for people with epilepsy? what causes deaths??
• There is an increased risk of premature death in patients with epilepsy
-caused by conditon itself=injury, during seisure, The antiepileptic treatment, status epilepticus, co-morbities
- SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in
epilepsy
what how does SUDEP occur?
- can occur just after a seizure not all the time
- can be related to charges in heart rhythm
- can occur in their sleep or at night so can go unseen
- risk factors of SUDEP= no treatment, night seizures
what is the aetiology of epilespsy?
-not always known
-2/3 of people hae epilespy that has an unknown cause
• Structural= stroke, trauma
• Genetic= mutation
• Infectious= known infection
• Metabolic= metabolic disorder
• Immune= inflammation
what are some risk factors of epilepsy?
- Premature birth
- Complicated febrile seizures (seizures brought on by a high temperature)
- Brain development malformation
- A family history of epilepsy or neurological disease
- Head trauma
- Infections (e.g. meningitis and encephalitis)
- Tumours
- Cerebrovascular disease/stroke
- Dementia and neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s disease)
- Drugs and alcohol withdrawal
how is epilepsy diagnosed?
• Referral to a specialist in epilepsy (3)
• Detailed history from the patient and eyewitness of the attack
-investigations
• EEG
• Blood tests
• Neuroimagine (MRI/CT)
• ECG
• U&Es
• Neuropsychological assessment= to help with learn difficulties identification
what are the different factors that are used to classify epilepsy’s?
- Seizure type
- Epilepsy type
- Epileptic syndrome
what are the main 3 groups seizures that can be classified?
- Focal seizures
- Generalised seizures
- Unknown
what are focal seizures?
• Increased neuronal activity originating and remaining in one
hemisphere of the brain.
-they are subdivide into:
• Simple focal seizures (no loss of consiousness)
• Complex or focal dyscognitive seizures (impaired awareness)
-motor symptoms or not
what affects the signs and symptoms of a seizure?
the specific area of
the brain involved