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.

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...

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,...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Observational study of medical marijuana as a treatment for treatment-resistant epilepsies.

Annals of clinical and translational neurology·2022

Same author

Sudden Death and Cardiac Arrythmia With Lamotrigine: A Rapid Systematic Review.

Neurology·2022

Same author

Shared computational principles for language processing in humans and deep language models.

Nature neuroscience·2022

Same author

Dietary Transitions and Health Outcomes in Four Populations - Systematic Review.

Frontiers in nutrition·2022

Same author

Time to onset of cannabidiol treatment effect and resolution of adverse events in tuberous sclerosis complex: Post hoc analysis of randomized controlled phase 3 trial GWPCARE6.

Epilepsia·2022

Same author

Multiscale temporal integration organizes hierarchical computation in human auditory cortex.

Nature human behaviour·2022

Same journal

Narcolepsy: clinical approach to etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Reviews in neurological diseases·2012

Same journal

Orofacial pain following an invasive dental procedure.

Reviews in neurological diseases·2012

Same journal

An update on the diagnosis and management of dementing conditions.

Reviews in neurological diseases·2012

Same journal

The neurology of decreased activity: abulia.

Reviews in neurological diseases·2012

Same journal

Progressive personality and language changes in a 62-year-old woman.

Reviews in neurological diseases·2012

Same journal

A rare cause of headache.

Reviews in neurological diseases·2012

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

Published on: June 23, 2022

Immunology and epilepsy.

Souhel Najjar¹, Melissa Bernbaum, George Lai

¹Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Reviews in Neurological Diseases

|October 8, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Immune system dysfunction contributes to various systemic and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Emerging evidence suggests immune mechanisms may also play a role in certain epilepsy types, warranting further investigation.

More Related Videos

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

Published on: June 23, 2022

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

Area of Science:

Neuroimmunology
Systemic autoimmune diseases
Epilepsy research

Background:

Immune mechanisms are implicated in systemic autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn's disease.
Immune responses are central to localized central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as multiple sclerosis and encephalitis.
The role of the immune system in epilepsy is an area of growing interest.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the involvement of immune mechanisms in both systemic and CNS disorders.
To investigate the potential contribution of immunopathology to various epilepsy syndromes.
To highlight the need for further research into the immunologic aspects of epilepsy.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on immune mechanisms in systemic and CNS diseases.
Examination of immunologic findings in epilepsy surgical specimens.
Synthesis of evidence linking immune system abnormalities to epilepsy etiology.

Main Results:

Humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms are involved in systemic and CNS disorders.
Immunologic abnormalities are frequently observed in epilepsy surgical specimens.
These findings suggest a potential role for immunopathology in the development of epilepsy.

Conclusions:

Immune mechanisms are critical in a range of systemic and CNS diseases.
Immunopathology may contribute to the etiology of specific epilepsy syndromes.
Future research is essential to define the prevalence and impact of immunopathology in epilepsy.