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Related Concept Videos

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:
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 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...
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.
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...

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Consciousness and epilepsy: why are complex-partial seizures complex?

Dario J Englot1, Hal Blumenfeld

  • 1Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Progress in Brain Research
|October 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Complex-partial seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) cause unconsciousness by inhibiting brain regions essential for cortical activation. This network inhibition hypothesis explains how seizures lead to impaired consciousness and potential cortical dysfunction in TLE patients.

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Published on: December 18, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Epilepsy Research
  • Cognitive Neurology

Background:

  • Complex-partial seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) frequently cause impaired consciousness, a phenomenon not fully explained by medial temporal lobe involvement alone.
  • While behavioral automatisms can accompany diminished consciousness, seizures can also impair consciousness without motor activity.
  • The precise mechanisms linking temporal lobe seizure activity to profound loss of consciousness remain unclear, despite advances in research techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for impaired consciousness during complex-partial seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy.
  • To explore the role of network inhibition and subcortical structures in mediating consciousness impairment during TLE seizures.
  • To reconcile conflicting data on seizure lateralization and consciousness impairment in TLE.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of recent advances in behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging techniques in human patients and animal models.
  • Analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) and neuroimaging data correlating with impaired consciousness during TLE seizures.
  • Examination of findings from rat studies on partial limbic seizures, focusing on cortical and subcortical activity.

Main Results:

  • Impaired consciousness in TLE correlates with slow EEG activity and decreased signal in frontal and parietal association cortices.
  • Seizure activity in TLE involves fast polyspike activity and elevated blood flow in subcortical structures.
  • Animal studies show that seizure spread to subcortical regions, like the lateral septum, is crucial for cortical deactivation and behavioral arrest.

Conclusions:

  • The
  • network inhibition hypothesis
  • proposes that seizure propagation to subcortical regions inhibits cortical activation, leading to unconsciousness in TLE.
  • This model is supported by evidence of cortical deactivation and hypometabolism during seizures in animal models.
  • Understanding network inhibition is vital for addressing the cortical dysfunction and quality of life issues faced by TLE patients.