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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...
Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...
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,...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
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...

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Suicidality at Epilepsy Diagnosis and Future Treatment Resistance in Adults With Focal Epilepsy.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
09:07

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

Depression in epilepsy: a complex relation with unexpected consequences.

Andres M Kanner1

  • 1Department of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry, Rush Medical College, Laboratory of Electroencephalography and Video-EEG-Telemetry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. akanner@rush.edu

Current Opinion in Neurology
|March 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Depression is common in epilepsy and can precede seizures, suggesting shared causes like serotonin receptor issues. Early recognition and treatment of depression may improve seizure control.

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Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
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Behavioral And Physiological Analysis In A Zebrafish Model Of Epilepsy
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Behavioral And Physiological Analysis In A Zebrafish Model Of Epilepsy

Published on: October 19, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
09:07

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

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

Behavioral And Physiological Analysis In A Zebrafish Model Of Epilepsy
08:26

Behavioral And Physiological Analysis In A Zebrafish Model Of Epilepsy

Published on: October 19, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Epilepsy and depressive disorders are increasingly researched.
  • Depression significantly impacts epilepsy patients' quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of depressive disorders in epilepsy.
  • To highlight the timely need for this review due to increased research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of population-based studies and existing literature.
  • Analysis of the bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and depression.

Main Results:

  • Depressive disorders are frequent in epilepsy patients.
  • The relationship is bidirectional, with depression often preceding epilepsy.
  • Common pathogenic mechanisms, including serotonin-1A receptor binding, are implicated.
  • Pre-existing depression predicts poorer seizure control with treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Findings may alter the conceptualization of the epilepsy-depression link.
  • Enhanced early recognition and treatment of depression in epilepsy are recommended.
  • Further research is needed on depression's impact on treatment response.