Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

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.
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,...
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 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...
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,...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Etiology of active epilepsy in adults: A Latin American multicenter hospital-based study.

Seizure·2026
Same author

Reader Response: Seizures and Epilepsy in Association With Neurocysticercosis: a Nosologic Proposal.

Neurology·2026
Same author

Identification of abnormal patterns of evolution of neurocysticercosis cysts and what they might indicate.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2025
Same author

Pediatric Neurocysticercosis. Burden of pediatric neurological disorders in resource-limited regions.

Seminars in pediatric neurology·2025
Same author

Use of Antiseizure Medications Early in Pregnancy and the Risk of Major Malformations in the Newborn.

Neurology·2025
Same author

Impact of albendazole treatment on the symptom profile of neurocysticercosis patients 14-16 years following diagnosis.

Parasitology·2025
Same journal

The Noradrenergic Brain in Parkinson's Disease.

Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2026
Same journal

Mapping the Silent Onset of Parkinson's Disease: Monoamine Imaging in the Era of the Race for Preclinical Intervention.

Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2026
Same journal

Functional and Structural Brain Imaging Correlates of Treatment Response in Functional Movement Disorder.

Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2026
Same journal

Astrocytopathy in Wernicke Encephalopathy and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. Pathogenic Differences With Occasional Clinical and Neuroimaging Overlap. A Review.

Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2026
Same journal

When is the Radiologically Isolated Syndrome already Multiple Sclerosis According to the 2024 McDonald Criteria?

Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2026
Same journal

Assessment and Management of Post-traumatic Headache.

Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Epilepsy in the developing world.

Arturo Carpio1, W Allen Hauser

  • 1Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Cuenca, Ciudadela Universitaria, Cuenca, Ecuador. arturo.carpio@ucuenca.edu.ec

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|June 12, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Epilepsy is more common in developing countries, partly due to high mortality. Delivering epilepsy care through primary health services is the most cost-effective solution to reduce the treatment gap for people with epilepsy.

More Related Videos

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

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue
06:45

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 22, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

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

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue
06:45

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Published on: January 19, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Global health
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Epilepsy prevalence and incidence are higher in developing countries (DCs) compared to developed nations.
  • Despite high incidence, epilepsy prevalence in DCs is relatively low, potentially due to elevated mortality rates among people with epilepsy (PWE).
  • Neurocysticercosis is a primary cause of symptomatic epilepsy in many DCs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the epilepsy situation in developing countries.
  • To identify challenges and propose cost-effective solutions for epilepsy care in DCs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epilepsy in developing and developed countries.
  • Analysis of factors influencing epilepsy prevalence, incidence, and mortality in DCs.
  • Evaluation of current treatment practices and resource availability.

Main Results:

  • Prognosis for epilepsy in DCs appears comparable to developed countries.
  • Phenobarbital and phenytoin are the most accessible and affordable antiepileptic drugs in DCs.
  • Limited resources and high costs of newer antiepileptic drugs lead to marginalized care and undertreatment for many PWE.

Conclusions:

  • Integrating epilepsy services into primary health care presents the most cost-effective strategy to bridge the treatment gap in DCs.
  • Addressing the high mortality and improving access to care are crucial for PWE in developing nations.