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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.

Seizures: Classification

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: 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,...

Psychosurgery

Psychosurgery

Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...

Electroconvulsive Therapy

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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

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

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

Published on: September 20, 2024

Epilepsy surgery in children under 3 years.

C Dunkley¹, J Kung, R C Scott

¹Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.

Epilepsy Research

|December 16, 2010

Summary

Pediatric epilepsy surgery in children under 3 years old shows promising results, with nearly half achieving seizure freedom. This early intervention offers significant seizure improvement comparable to older patients.

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Area of Science:

Pediatric Neurosurgery
Epileptology
Pediatric Neurology

Background:

Resective epilepsy surgery is a key treatment for infants and children with intractable epilepsy.
Early childhood epilepsy surgery outcomes require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of epilepsy surgery in children under three years of age.
To analyze seizure frequency, cognitive function, and complications in this pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

Retrospective analysis of 42 children under 36 months undergoing epilepsy surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Data collected included aetiology, seizure outcomes, cognitive function (DQ/IQ), complications, and re-operation rates.

Main Results:

48% of children achieved complete seizure freedom, and 43% showed improved seizure frequency.
Re-operation was required in 17% of cases; 20% of hemispherectomy patients needed a shunt.
Cognitive outcomes varied, with some children showing a decrease in DQ/IQ >15.

Conclusions:

Epilepsy surgery in very young children (under 3 years) provides a good chance of significantly improved seizure control.
Surgical outcomes in this young cohort are comparable to those in older pediatric epilepsy surgery populations.