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Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

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...
Seizures: Classification01:13

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 l: Introduction01:20

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,...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

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Published on: December 22, 2016

Selenium and intractable epilepsy: is there any correlation?

Mahmood Reza Ashrafi1, Reza Shabanian, Ali Abbaskhanian

  • 1Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Children's Medical Center, Tehran, Iran.

Pediatric Neurology
|December 13, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Intractable epilepsy patients have lower serum selenium levels compared to healthy individuals. This suggests selenium may play a role in managing oxidative stress in epilepsy.

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Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

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Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
07:01

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

Published on: May 16, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Biochemistry
  • Trace Element Research

Background:

  • Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species are linked to neuronal and neuromuscular disorders like epilepsy.
  • Selenium, an antioxidant trace element, functions via selenoproteins, which have antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.
  • Selenium's protective role against oxidative damage motivated this study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare serum selenium levels between patients with intractable epilepsy and a healthy control group.
  • To investigate the potential role of selenium in the pathophysiology of intractable epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 80 patients with intractable epilepsy and a matched control group.
  • Serum selenium levels were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
  • Statistical analysis included an independent samples t-test to compare group means.

Main Results:

  • The mean serum selenium level was significantly lower in the intractable epilepsy group (68.88 ± 17.58 ng/mL) compared to the control group (85.93 ± 13.93 ng/mL).
  • No association was found between serum selenium levels and predictive factors of intractable seizures such as age at onset, neonatal seizures, neurological impairment, or epilepsy etiology.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with intractable epilepsy exhibit lower serum selenium levels than healthy individuals.
  • Measurement of serum selenium should be considered in the clinical management of intractable epilepsy patients.