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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,...

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 ll: Types

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: 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.

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...

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

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...

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

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Absence seizure in the elderly.

Owolabi L Femi¹, S Sale

¹Department of Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. drlukmanowolabi@yahoo.com

Annals of African Medicine

|June 22, 2011

Summary

Absence seizures are rare in the elderly, but this case shows successful treatment with sodium valproate in an older adult with dementia. The study highlights the importance of distinguishing absence status from complex partial seizures in this population.

Area of Science:

Neurology
Geriatric Medicine
Epileptology

Background:

Absence seizures typically affect children and adolescents, rarely occurring in adults over 50.
Dementia can complicate the diagnosis of neurological conditions in the elderly.

Observation:

A case of electroencephalography-confirmed absence seizure and absence status in an elderly patient with dementia is presented.
The patient exhibited symptoms that required careful differential diagnosis with complex partial seizures.

Findings:

Successful treatment of absence seizure and absence status was achieved using sodium valproate.
This demonstrates the efficacy of sodium valproate in an elderly patient with co-existing dementia.

Implications:

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The findings suggest that absence seizures, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly patients with dementia.
Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment with appropriate antiepileptic drugs like sodium valproate can improve outcomes in this population.
This case underscores the need for careful electroencephalography evaluation to differentiate absence status from complex partial seizures in elderly individuals.