Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

2.2K
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:
2.2K
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...
1.7K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

2.3K
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...
2.3K
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

1.7K
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...
1.7K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

1.2K
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...
1.2K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

969
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...
969

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Does seizure duration matter? A quantitative and qualitative study on the burden and unmet needs of prolonged seizures in people living with epilepsy and their caregivers.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B·2026
Same author

American Epilepsy Society/International League Against Epilepsy-North America Joint Task Force for Epilepsy Health Care Disparities in the United States.

Epilepsy currents·2025
Same author

Electroencephalography in Clinical Practice: Neurology Professionals' Views on Optimal Standards of Care.

Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society·2025
Same author

Enhanced sensitivity of electrocorticography during awake craniotomy using a novel circular grid electrode.

Journal of neuro-oncology·2023
Same author

The evolution of antiseizure medication therapy selection in adults: Is artificial intelligence -assisted antiseizure medication selection ready for prime time?

Journal of central nervous system disease·2023
Same author

Risk factors for preoperative and postoperative seizures in patients with glioblastoma according to the 2021 World Health Organization classification.

Seizure·2023
Same journal

The Biology of Malaria Parasite Liver Infection.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

The Interaction between Diabetes Mellitus and Tuberculosis: Epidemiology, Screening, and Clinical Management.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

New Malaria Prevention Modalities: Long-Acting Interventions Beyond Vaccines.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

From Parasite to Pill: Harnessing Biology for Breakthroughs in Antimalarial Drug Discovery.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

Malaria Parasite Genomics: Decentralization, Diversification, and Development Goals.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

Tuberculosis Infection: Diagnosis and Management.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
09:57

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

Published on: September 20, 2024

3.9K

Epilepsy: A Spectrum Disorder.

Joseph I Sirven1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona 85054.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
|September 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder causing unprovoked seizures, affecting all ages. Many patients experience cognitive and psychiatric issues, and current treatments often fail to fully control seizures, leading to significant life impacts.

More Related Videos

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
10:22

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

Published on: December 6, 2016

21.4K
Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
07:35

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

1.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
09:57

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

Published on: September 20, 2024

3.9K
Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
10:22

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

Published on: December 6, 2016

21.4K
Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
07:35

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

1.7K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.
  • It affects individuals across all age groups, with higher incidence in the very young and elderly.
  • Beyond seizures, patients frequently experience associated cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of epilepsy as a multifaceted disease.
  • To highlight the challenges in managing epilepsy despite available therapeutic options.
  • To underscore the persistent burden of uncontrolled seizures on patients' lives.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epilepsy etiology, symptomatology, and treatment.
  • Analysis of the impact of seizures and their therapies on patient well-being.
  • Examination of the limitations of current treatment modalities.

Main Results:

  • Epilepsy presents with diverse etiologies, both idiopathic and acquired.
  • A significant percentage of patients do not achieve complete seizure control with existing treatments.
  • Uncontrolled seizures contribute to substantial psychosocial stigma and mortality risks.

Conclusions:

  • Epilepsy remains a challenging condition with a wide spectrum of presentations and outcomes.
  • Despite advances, a substantial unmet need exists for more effective epilepsy management strategies.
  • Addressing the multifaceted nature of epilepsy is crucial for improving patient quality of life and reducing mortality.