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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 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:

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,...

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

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Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy

A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy

Published on: November 13, 2016

Mood disorders in epilepsy - diagnostic and methodological considerations.

Mariusz Stanisław Wiglusz¹, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Maria Gałuszko-Węgielnik

¹Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland. mwiglusz@gumed.edu.pl

Psychiatria Danubina

|September 5, 2012

Summary

Mood disorders are prevalent in epilepsy patients. Standardized psychiatric interviews are crucial for accurate diagnosis, complementing screening tools in clinical settings.

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A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy

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Published on: November 13, 2016

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Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Neurology
Psychiatry
Epidemiology

Background:

Mood disorders frequently affect people with epilepsy (PWE), with reported prevalence varying widely due to diverse methodologies.
The presentation of mood disorders in epilepsy is often atypical, making diagnosis challenging and frequently not meeting standard criteria.
Research on mood disorders in PWE has largely relied on screening instruments, with uncertain validity and reliability for major depression detection.

Purpose of the Study:

To review existing literature on mood disorders in epilepsy.
To critically evaluate the diagnostic methods employed in studies of mood disorders in PWE.
To focus on the reliability and validity of diagnostic approaches for mood disorders in epilepsy.

Main Methods:

A systematic review of patient studies on mood disorders in epilepsy published between 2000 and 2012.
Literature search conducted on PubMed using keywords related to epilepsy, seizures, and various mood disorders.
Inclusion criteria specified human studies in English, focusing on the specified date range.

Main Results:

Depression is the most common psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy.
Bipolar disorders are also identified as not uncommon in individuals with epilepsy.
A significant majority of studies (over 80%) did not utilize standardized psychiatric measures; only 18% employed diagnostic interviews like MINI or SCID-I.

Conclusions:

Self-report depression measures can serve as initial screening tools in epilepsy care.
Screening for mood disorders in epilepsy should be followed by structured psychiatric interviews for definitive diagnosis.
Standardized diagnostic interviews, such as SCID-I or MINI, are recommended for comprehensive mood disorder assessment in PWE.