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Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

1.7K
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...
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Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

2.4K
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:
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Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

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Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
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Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

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Antiepileptic drugs are specialized medications that prevent seizures in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. These drugs primarily function by blocking the movement of sodium ions through channels in the neuronal membrane, inhibiting the repetitive firing of action potentials often associated with seizures.
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
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Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

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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...
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Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers01:17

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

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Calcium channel blockers, a class of antiepileptic drugs, regulate the flow of calcium ions within neurons.
Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
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Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization

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Epilepsy and recommendations for breastfeeding.

Gyri Veiby1, Marte Bjørk1, Bernt A Engelsen1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, Section for Neurology, University of Bergen, Norway.

Seizure
|April 4, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Breastfeeding while taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is generally safe for infants. Most infants show no adverse effects, but careful monitoring is recommended for potential side effects.

Keywords:
Antiepileptic drugsBreastfeedingEpilepsyPostnatal developmentSide effects

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Author Spotlight: Obtaining High-Quality CSF and Blood Samples for Epilepsy Biomarker Discovery
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Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
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Author Spotlight: Obtaining High-Quality CSF and Blood Samples for Epilepsy Biomarker Discovery
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Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
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Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Epilepsy Management

Background:

  • Breastfeeding offers significant nutritional and developmental benefits for infants.
  • Women with epilepsy face decisions regarding medication use and breastfeeding.
  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly prescribed for seizure management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the benefits and risks of antiepileptic drug (AED) exposure through breast milk.
  • To provide recommendations for breastfeeding mothers with epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed and LactMed databases.
  • Inclusion of authors' clinical experience.
  • Discretionary selection of relevant English-language articles.

Main Results:

  • Most AEDs transfer to breast milk in low infant serum concentrations, unlikely to cause pharmacological effects.
  • Certain AEDs (e.g., barbiturates, benzodiazepines, lamotrigine, ethosuximide) may reach higher infant serum levels.
  • Adverse effects and negative developmental outcomes in breastfed infants exposed to AEDs are rarely reported.

Conclusions:

  • Most antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are considered safe or moderately safe for breastfeeding infants.
  • Mothers with epilepsy should be encouraged to breastfeed with careful infant monitoring.
  • Strategies to minimize infant drug exposure include timing feeds and adjusting maternal dosage.