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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,...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

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...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...

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Related Experiment Video

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Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
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Metabolic epilepsy: an update.

Laura Papetti1, Pasquale Parisi, Vincenzo Leuzzi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Division, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Brain & Development
|January 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Inborn errors of metabolism can cause seizures at any age. Diagnosing these metabolic disorders in epilepsy patients may lead to targeted treatments, improving seizure control in some cases.

Keywords:
ChildrenEncephalopathyGeneticsInherited metabolic disordersMetabolic epilepsyMetabolism

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Inborn errors of metabolism are genetic disorders affecting metabolic pathways.
  • Seizures are a common symptom, lacking specific types or EEG signatures.
  • Diagnosis often involves extensive and costly biochemical and molecular testing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of metabolic epilepsies.
  • To categorize these conditions by treatability, age of onset, seizure type, and pathogenesis.
  • To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on metabolic disorders and epilepsy.
  • Classification of metabolic epilepsies based on clinical and etiological factors.
  • Analysis of treatment strategies and their efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Specific diagnosis of metabolic disorders in epileptic patients can enable targeted treatments.
  • Some metabolic epilepsies respond to specific diets or cofactor supplementation (vitamin-responsive epilepsies).
  • Many metabolic epilepsies lack specific treatments, requiring conventional antiepileptic drugs with often limited success.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic epilepsies represent a significant challenge in clinical practice.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for potentially improving seizure outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to develop effective treatments for a wider range of metabolic epilepsies.