Neurobiology of Epilepsy
The two most important ions in the transmission of action potentials are Na+ and potassium K+. Voltage-gated Na+ channels have three types of states: deactivated (closed), activated (open), and inactivated…
Neurobiology of Epilepsy (Continued)
Epilepsy is a paroxysmal disorder characterized by abnormal neuronal discharges. Although epilepsy has many causes, the fundamental disorder is secondary to abnormal synchronous discharges of a network of neurons. Epilepsy…
Status Epilepticus
Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) is one of the most common medical neurologic emergencies and continues to be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. In people with epilepsy, CSE is often…
Causes of Seizures
Genetic and Neurometabolic Causes. There are many genetic and neurometabolic causes that lead to seizures, typically beginning in childhood. Genetic disorders include disorders such as severe myoclonic epilepsy of childhood,…
Epileptic Syndromes
An example of an epileptic syndrome with generalized seizures is juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). The seizure types are generalized tonic-clonic, absence, or myoclonic, which often occur upon awakening. The seizures…
Neonatal Seizures
Neonatal seizures are classified as clonic, tonic, and myoclonic. Clonic seizures consist of rhythmic jerking of groups of muscles and occur in either a focal or multifocal pattern. In multifocal…
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
The EEG in focal seizures is characterized by focal spikes or sharp waves. There is often a relationship between the location of the spikes and the seizure type, that is,…
Absence Seizures
In the untreated patient, absence seizures can occur quite frequently during the day. They sometimes occur in clusters, particularly when the child is tired or drowsy. In a child not…
Electroencephalography
Brain Wave Activity. Brain activity consists of waveforms that vary in polarity, shape, and frequency, and usually range in voltage from 20 to 60 microvolts. Scalp EEG activity shows oscillations…
Focal (Partial) Seizures
The history and neurologic examination are the cornerstones of neurologic diagnosis. When assessing when a patient may have had a seizure, it is important to obtain a description of a…
