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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
[Neuropsychology and epilepsy]
J Campos-Castelló1, S Campos-Soler
1Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. jcampos.hcsc@salud.madrid.org
Revista De Neurologia
|July 21, 2004
Summary
Children with epilepsy face higher risks of cognitive disorders due to epilepsy itself, pre-existing conditions, and antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects. While generally mild, AED cognitive impacts can be significant for individual children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Epileptic children exhibit a threefold increased risk of cognitive disorders compared to healthy peers.
- Cognitive impairments in epilepsy are multifactorial, influenced by the condition, co-occurring deficits, and antiepileptic drug (AED) effects.
Purpose:
- To analyze the relationship between neuropsychology and epilepsy in pediatric patients.
- To understand the factors contributing to cognitive deterioration in children with epilepsy.
Summary:
- Cognitive effects of AEDs vary by drug, dosage, and polypharmacy, presenting both adverse and potentially beneficial outcomes.
- While generally mild, AED side effects on cognition and behavior are influenced by epilepsy syndrome, etiology, treatment response, and polypharmacy.
- Newer AEDs, with better-understood mechanisms, can improve cognitive function by controlling seizures.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for reliable assessment tools (e.g., MEDDRA) to evaluate AED side effects.
- Emphasizes the importance of gradual drug introduction and monitoring for managing cognitive impacts.
- Underscores the necessity of cognitive monitoring during epilepsy therapy to forecast and manage progression.
Related Concept Videos
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures: Classification
Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures l: Introduction
Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Epilepsy ll: Types
Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.

