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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 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: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

Antiepileptic drugs are specialized medications that prevent seizures in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. These drugs primarily function by blocking the movement of sodium ions through channels in the neuronal membrane, inhibiting the repetitive firing of action potentials often associated with seizures.
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
Seizures ll: Types01:19

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...
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:
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats
08:47

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats

Published on: November 8, 2018

When do seizures usually improve with the ketogenic diet?

Eric H Kossoff1, Linda C Laux, Robyn Blackford

  • 1Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA. ekossoff@jhmi.edu

Epilepsia
|November 22, 2007
PubMed
Summary

The ketogenic diet (KD) often improves seizures within 1-2 weeks for children. If no seizure reduction occurs after 2 months, discontinuing the KD may be considered. Fasting at onset may speed initial results.

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

Published on: May 16, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats
08:47

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats

Published on: November 8, 2018

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:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Dietary Therapies

Background:

  • Parents anticipate rapid seizure control with the ketogenic diet (KD) in children.
  • Understanding the timeline for KD effectiveness is crucial for managing expectations and treatment duration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the typical time to seizure reduction in children starting the KD.
  • To establish a timeframe beyond which the KD is unlikely to be effective.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 118 children initiated on the KD at two major hospitals.
  • Data collection focused on the date of documented seizure improvement.

Main Results:

  • 84% of children experienced seizure reduction, with a median time to improvement of 5 days.
  • 75% of children showed improvement within 14 days.
  • Fasting prior to KD initiation correlated with quicker initial seizure reduction (median 5 vs. 14 days).

Conclusions:

  • The ketogenic diet, when effective, typically shows results within 1-2 weeks.
  • Fasting may accelerate initial seizure reduction but does not alter long-term outcomes.
  • Discontinuation of the KD can be considered if no seizure reduction is observed within 2 months.