Week 8 - CNS Anticonvulsants Flashcards
1
Q
What is Epilepsy?
A
a disorder characterised by seizures associated with abnormal activity in brain neurons.
2
Q
What are the two main types of seizures in Epilepsy?
A
Partial seizures
General seizures
- grand mal
- petit mal
3
Q
What are the characterisitics of Partial Seizures?
A
- involuntary muscle contractions
- abnormal sensation, mood, autonomic discharge
- often remain conscious
4
Q
What are the characteristics of General Seizures?
A
- whole brain involved
- loss of consiousness
- petit-mal or grand-mal
5
Q
What are the characteristics in Petit-mal seizures?
A
- Called absence seizures
- occur in children
- momentary inability to speak or move
- unaware of surroundings
6
Q
What are the characteristics of Grand mal seizures?
A
- Called tonic clonic seizures
- intitial strong contraction of whole musclulature
- respiration ceases
- loss of bodily functions
- gradually recover
7
Q
What are the two main types of anticonvulsants?
A
- Na channel blockers
- GABA modulators
8
Q
What are the actions, effects and examples of Na channel blockers anticonvulsants used?
A
- block voltage gated Na channels
-reduce nerve excitability
-decrease repetitive neuronal firing
Eg. Phenytoin
-used in partial and grand mal seizures
9
Q
What are the actions, effects, and examples of GABA enhancers?
A
- inhibitory effect
- decrease neuronal excitability
- Benodiazepines, Barbituates
10
Q
What are the pharmacokinetics of anticonvulsants?
A
- Can displace other drugs from plasma protein
- Can increase liver metabolism
- Long half lives
