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Seizures l: Introduction

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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,...

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
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Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

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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.
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Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction

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DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...

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Seizures: Classification

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

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Published on: June 21, 2019

Preventing and treating posttraumatic seizures: the human experience.

Nancy R Temkin¹

¹Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104-2499, USA. temkin@u.washington.edu

|February 4, 2009

Summary

Preventing posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is crucial. While some drugs like phenytoin and carbamazepine reduce provoked seizures after traumatic brain injury (TBI), none reliably prevent epilepsy, necessitating further research into antiepileptic drugs.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Neurosurgery
Pharmacology

Background:

Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a significant consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
High-risk individuals and injury characteristics for PTE are identifiable.
The latency period between TBI and seizure onset is often short, making prevention a viable target.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the design and results of studies testing drugs for the prevention of provoked seizures and epilepsy after TBI.
To evaluate the efficacy of various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in preventing PTE.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical studies evaluating antiepileptic drugs for seizure prevention post-TBI.
Analysis of drug efficacy based on reported reductions in seizure incidence.

Main Results:

Phenytoin and carbamazepine demonstrated significant reduction in provoked seizures.
Phenobarbital and a combination of phenobarbital/phenytoin showed promise but require larger studies.
No studied drug (phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, valproate, magnesium) provided reliable evidence for preventing or suppressing epileptic seizures after TBI.
Most regimens showed less than a 25% reduction in posttraumatic seizures, falling short of the 50% target.

Conclusions:

Current AEDs have limitations in preventing PTE.
Further research is needed, including exploring newer AEDs and compounds.
A better understanding of epileptogenesis and rigorous preclinical/early-phase testing are essential for developing effective PTE prevention strategies.