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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...

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

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,...

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...

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Dynamic Clamp Methods to Investigate Impaired Neuronal Excitability Associated with Autism

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Epilepsy in autism: features and correlates.

Patrick F Bolton¹, Iris Carcani-Rathwell, Jane Hutton

¹Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and MRC Centre for Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, UK. Patrick.Bolton@kcl.ac.uk

The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science

|October 6, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Epilepsy affects 22% of individuals with autism, often starting in adolescence or adulthood with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Epilepsy in autism is linked to intellectual disability and female gender.

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Area of Science:

Neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurology
Genetics

Background:

Epilepsy is a common comorbidity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Limited long-term follow-up studies exist on epilepsy features and correlates in individuals with autism.
Prevalence, seizure characteristics, and associated factors remain partially understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To conduct a long-term follow-up of individuals with autism.
To characterize the features and correlates of epilepsy in this population.
To identify potential risk factors for epilepsy in autism.

Main Methods:

Followed 150 individuals diagnosed with autism in childhood until age 21+.
Used parental/informant questionnaires for seizure history screening.
Conducted epilepsy interviews and reviewed medical records for confirmed cases.
Analyzed epilepsy features and correlates using survival and regression analyses.

Main Results:

Epilepsy developed in 22% of participants, with onset typically after age 10.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were most common (88%).
Seizures were infrequent in over half of affected individuals and controlled with 1-2 anticonvulsants in most.
Epilepsy associated with female gender, intellectual disability, and lower verbal abilities.
Familial liability for autism correlated with epilepsy risk in probands, but not increased epilepsy risk in relatives.

Conclusions:

Epilepsy is a significant medical complication in individuals with autism.
Seizure onset can occur in adolescence or adulthood.
Identified potential risk factors warrant further investigation.