Download - Final project presentation
S
Seizures and Epilepsy
Understanding the Brain:The Neurobiology of Everyday Life
Final PresentationJuly 2014
Seizures and Epilepsy: A Primer
Seizures are caused by an excess of neuronal activity in the brain, and can occur anywhere in the brain
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by recurrent and spontaneous seizures
Epilepsy encompasses the neurological, cognitive, psychological, and socio-emotional changes that result from seizures
Seizures are often thought of as an event, while epilepsy is the disorder
Seizures and Epilepsy: A Primer
Seizures occur when the balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition in the brain shifts towards excitation
Seizure types are primarily dependent upon the location of the seizure and associated behaviors E.g., seizures that occur in the motor cortex affect motor
movement and control and are broadly referred to as “motor seizures”
Some areas of the brain are more prone to seizure activity than others (e.g., temporal lobe)
Seizures and Epilepsy: A Primer
Seizures and Epilepsy: A Primer
Seizure Classification
Seizures are first divided into 2 categories: Partial seizures Generalized seizures
Partial seizures are found on one side of the brain, thus they are focal
Generalized seizures occur bilaterally, or on both sides of the brain
Seizure Classification
Partial seizures are then divided into 2 categories: Simple partial seizures have no loss of consciousness or
memory Complex partial seizures result in a loss of consciousness
or memory, and may include an aura (which is a “warning” before a seizure)
Although rare, some experience secondarily generalized seizures These are seizures that are focal, but then spread to both
sides of the brain
Seizure Classification
Seizure Classification
Seizure Classification
Generalized seizures are divided into several categories: Absence (formerly called petit mal): characterized by
staring spells; may include eyelid fluttering Tonic-clonic: characterized by a loss of consciousness
followed by stiffening and rhythmic limb jerking Myoclonic: characterized by jerks or series of jerks that are
not rhythmic Atonic: characterized by drop attacks, where the person
may feel weak and fall to the ground Tonic: characterized by muscle stiffening
Seizure Classification
Complex partial seizures are the most common in adults (estimates point to 40%)
Simple partial seizures account for 20% of episodes in adults
Tonic-clonic seizures (which are generalized) account for 20%
Absence seizures account for 20% of seizure episodes
Controlling Seizures
There is no single method or intervention that will uniformly control seizures, although medicine is often used
Seizures that are not controlled are controlled intractable (or refractory) seizures
The amygdala and hippocampus are often targets for retraction (or removal), although their relationship to seizures is not well understood
Increasing somatostatin (a hormone responsible for regulating the endocrine system) has also been used to reduce episodes
Seizures and this course…
My interest in seizures stemmed from work I completed at two children’s hospitals
This course broadened my understanding of neurology, disorders that affect the nervous system, basic neuroanatomy, and the brain-behavior relationship
Dr. Mason’s practical application of dense material made it easier for me to understand how epilepsy mainfests
Seizures and this course…
Lectures on neurocommunication helped me understand how electrical information travels through nerves, and how neural dysfunction impedes this process
Lectures on neural tube formation peaked my interest in the relationship between women with epilpesy bearing children who have neural tube defects
Lectures on motor control helped me understand how seizures present in children and adults