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: 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 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,...
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Mechanisms, prevention, and management of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss in neonates and children: a translational review.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2026
Same author

Maternal and umbilical cord plasma concentrations of antiseizure medications: Results from the observational MONEAD study.

Epilepsia·2026
Same author

Adverse events associated with medical cannabis reported within a centralized call center.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2026
Same author

Predicting seizure freedom in the postpartum period: Findings from the Maternal Outcomes and Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs study.

Epilepsia·2026
Same author

Optimising antidepressant therapy in pregnancy: a perspective on therapeutic drug monitoring and model-informed precision dosing.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2026
Same author

Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Intravenous Topiramate in Patients with Epilepsy or Migraine.

Journal of clinical pharmacology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 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 elderly.

Ilo E Leppik1, Angela K Birnbaum

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, and MINCEP Epilepsy Care, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. leppi001@umn.edu

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|February 12, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Epilepsy incidence is higher in older adults. Recent research explores new epilepsy definitions, Alzheimer

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The elderly population (65+) is rapidly growing, with a higher incidence of epilepsy compared to other age groups.
  • Understanding epilepsy in older adults is crucial due to unique physiological changes and comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding epilepsy in the elderly.
  • To discuss new definitions, models, and management considerations for epilepsy in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on epilepsy in older adults.
  • Analysis of a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease exhibiting seizures.
  • Examination of data on epilepsy incidence in nursing home residents.

More Related Videos

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 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

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

Main Results:

  • A new proposed definition of epilepsy is under consideration.
  • Evidence suggests a potential peak incidence of epilepsy following nursing home admission.
  • Variability in serum antiepileptic drug (AED) levels observed in nursing home residents.

Conclusions:

  • Epilepsy management in the elderly requires tailored approaches.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of hepatic isoenzymes and vitamin D in AED metabolism and osteoporosis.
  • Nursing home residents may require closer monitoring of AED serum levels.