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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...

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...

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.

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...

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Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

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Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: a current overview.

Philip Dickinson¹, Karl J Looper

¹Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada. phil.dickinson@mail.mcgill.ca

|August 14, 2012

Summary

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) lack a clear cause, presenting diagnostic and research challenges. This review explores current PNES literature, highlighting new research avenues for improved understanding and diagnosis.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Psychiatry
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) mimic epilepsy but lack established pathophysiology.
Current understanding of PNES psychopathology remains fragmented, with no universally accepted theory.
Contradictory findings in PNES research pose challenges for clinicians and scientists.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of the current state of PNES research and clinical practice.
To highlight recent advancements and potential future directions in understanding and diagnosing PNES.
To discuss the challenges and opportunities in PNES research, including communication in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on history, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and patient characteristics of PNES.
Discussion of emerging research methodologies, including qualitative methods and nonlinear analysis.
Exploration of neuroimaging advancements and the role of international databases in PNES research.

Main Results:

PNES diagnosis and management are complex due to varied presentations and lack of clear biomarkers.
Recent research explores novel approaches like qualitative studies and advanced data analysis for PNES.
Neuroimaging and collaborative data efforts show promise for advancing PNES understanding.

Conclusions:

Effective communication is crucial in the clinical management of PNES.
Further research integrating diverse methodologies is needed to elucidate PNES pathophysiology.
International collaboration and data sharing can accelerate progress in PNES diagnosis and treatment.