Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

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...

Epilepsy ll: Types

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.

Seizures l: Introduction

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,...

Seizures: Classification

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 ll: Types

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Awake perimetry testing for occipital epilepsy surgery.

Journal of neurosurgery·2017

Same author

Outcome of temporal lobe epilepsy surgery evaluated with bitemporal intracranial electrode recordings.

Epilepsy research·2016

Same author

Slowly evolving trends in temporal lobe epilepsy management at london health sciences centre.

Epilepsy research and treatment·2013

Same author

Update on temporal lobe epilepsy.

Epilepsy research and treatment·2013

Same author

Interpreting seizure counts after temporal lobectomy: not just one-two-three.

Epilepsy currents·2011

Same author

Focal and generalized: both here and there.

Epilepsy currents·2010

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

The progression of epilepsy.

Warren T Blume¹

¹Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre London, Ontario, Canada. warren.blume@lhsc.on.ca

|October 19, 2006

Summary

Epilepsy prognosis varies by syndrome, with early treatment not guaranteeing long-term seizure control. Some severe epilepsy syndromes may worsen cognitively, necessitating careful management of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Area of Science:

Neurology
Epileptology
Clinical Neuroscience

Background:

Epilepsy prognosis and cognitive development outcomes differ significantly across various epilepsy syndromes.
Multiple factors, including etiology, seizure activity, trauma, and antiepileptic drug (AED) effects, influence epilepsy outcomes.
Evidence supporting the 'seizures beget seizures' hypothesis is limited, and short-term seizure suppression does not consistently improve long-term prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the factors influencing seizure control and cognitive development in different epilepsy syndromes.
To evaluate the impact of early treatment and antiepileptic drug (AED) regimens on long-term epilepsy prognosis.
To investigate the progression of epilepsy and associated cognitive dysfunction, particularly in severe and intractable forms like temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

More Related Videos

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Published on: January 19, 2019

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Published on: July 21, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Published on: January 19, 2019

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Published on: July 21, 2015

Main Methods:

Review of clinical evidence and experimental paradigms related to epilepsy prognosis and cognitive outcomes.
Analysis of factors contributing to epilepsy progression, including causative etiology, seizure characteristics, and treatment effects.
Examination of human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) models and their parallels with human disease progression.

Main Results:

Prognosis for seizure control and cognitive development is highly variable among epilepsy syndromes.
Malignant epilepsy syndromes, often starting in childhood, are characterized by high seizure frequency, resistance to initial AEDs, and progressive cognitive decline.
While some cognitive regression and atrophy occur in intractable epilepsy (e.g., TLE), seizure frequency and severity often remain stable or even decrease in benign syndromes.
Aggressive AED therapy requires balancing efficacy against potential cognitive side effects, especially with polytherapy.

Conclusions:

Effective management of severe epilepsy syndromes may mitigate cognitive decline, but requires careful consideration of AED side effects.
Further research is needed to identify factors that can mitigate or extinguish epilepsies.
Long-term seizure worsening is not consistently observed, despite the transition from a latent period to a seizure disorder.