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Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

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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.
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Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

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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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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...
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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.
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Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury
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Post-traumatic epilepsy: current and emerging treatment options.

Jerzy P Szaflarski1, Yara Nazzal1, Laura E Dreer2

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA ; UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
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Summary

Preventing seizures after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is crucial. While phenytoin (PHT) is evidence-based, levetiracetam (LEV) is used, but more research is needed to determine if LEV can replace PHT without negative side effects.

Keywords:
EEGTBIantiepileptic drugscognitionepilepsyseizure preventionseizurestraumatic brain injury

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Traumatology

Background:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause immediate and long-term complications, including seizures and epilepsy.
  • Clinicians must manage seizure risks, comorbidities, and anticonvulsant side effects in acute TBI patients.
  • Phenytoin (PHT) has evidence for early seizure prevention, but levetiracetam (LEV) is also used despite potential drawbacks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the use of phenytoin (PHT) versus levetiracetam (LEV) for seizure prevention in acute TBI.
  • To review clinical aspects of seizure prevention in humans following TBI.
  • To explore potential alternatives and future research directions for managing post-traumatic seizures.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific evidence on anticonvulsant use in acute TBI.
  • Comparison of clinical data regarding PHT and LEV efficacy and side effects.
  • Summary of factors influencing seizure emergence and recovery post-TBI.

Main Results:

  • Phenytoin (PHT) has strong evidence for early seizure prevention in TBI.
  • Levetiracetam (LEV) is increasingly used, but its long-term efficacy and safety compared to PHT require further investigation.
  • PHT use is associated with cognitive side effects and potential impacts on functional recovery.

Conclusions:

  • More evidence is needed to establish levetiracetam (LEV) as a permanent replacement for phenytoin (PHT) in TBI seizure prevention.
  • Minimizing short- and long-term anticonvulsant effects while preventing post-traumatic seizures remains a clinical challenge.
  • Further studies are warranted to evaluate alternative anticonvulsants and treatments for TBI-related epilepsy.