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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,...
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...

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Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue
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Published on: January 19, 2019

The system epilepsies: a pathophysiological hypothesis.

Giuliano Avanzini1, Paolo Manganotti, Stefano Meletti

  • 1Department of Neurophysiology, IRCCS Foundation Neurological Institute Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy. avanzini@istituto-besta.it

Epilepsia
|April 27, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

We propose system epilepsies (SystE) arise from specific brain system dysfunction. This hypothesis suggests a new framework for understanding and treating epilepsy by focusing on neural system vulnerabilities.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Epileptology
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Epilepsy is often viewed as a network disorder.
  • Current understanding may benefit from a systems-level perspective.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and support the "system epilepsies" (SystE) hypothesis.
  • To propose that epilepsy can originate from the enduring dysfunction of specific, functionally characterized brain systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing data supporting the link between epilepsy and specific neural system dysfunction.
  • Conceptual framework development for SystE.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests that certain epilepsy types are linked to the dysfunction of particular neural systems.
  • The SystE hypothesis provides a unifying concept for diverse epilepsy presentations.

Conclusions:

  • The system epilepsies hypothesis offers a novel framework for epilepsy research.
  • This perspective may advance pathophysiological and clinical studies, leading to new therapeutic strategies for epilepsy.