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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...

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:

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Published on: June 11, 2020

Recent Advances in Neonatal Seizures.

Tristan T Sands¹, Tiffani L McDonough²

¹Division of Child Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, 180 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY, 10032, USA.

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports

|September 7, 2016

Summary

Recent advances improve neonatal seizure diagnosis and treatment. Continuous EEG monitoring is key, with new therapies focusing on efficacy and developmental safety, aiming to improve long-term outcomes.

Keywords:

Antiepileptic drugs EEG monitoring Epileptic encephalopathy Genetic epilepsy Neonatal encephalopathy Neonatal seizures

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Last Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Published on: June 11, 2020

Recording EEG in Freely Moving Neonatal Rats Using a Novel Method

Recording EEG in Freely Moving Neonatal Rats Using a Novel Method

Published on: May 29, 2017

Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol

Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol

Published on: February 18, 2012

Area of Science:

Neonatal Neurology
Pediatric Epilepsy
Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

Neonatal seizures require accurate diagnosis and effective treatment to prevent long-term neurological deficits.
Understanding the etiology of neonatal seizures is crucial for targeted management and prognosis.
Emerging evidence highlights the detrimental impact of seizures on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and summarize recent literature on the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal seizures.
To highlight advancements in monitoring, therapeutic strategies, and understanding of long-term risks.
To provide an updated overview for clinicians and researchers in the field.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of recent scientific literature.
Analysis of studies focusing on diagnostic tools, treatment efficacy, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Synthesis of findings related to continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring and novel therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

Continuous EEG monitoring is the gold standard for neonatal seizure detection and risk stratification.
Research is shifting towards targeted therapies with improved efficacy and reduced developmental side effects.
Early genetic diagnosis is increasingly important for managing genetic epilepsy syndromes.
Epidemiological studies are refining the understanding of post-neonatal epilepsy risk based on etiology.
Seizures are increasingly recognized as having deleterious effects on outcomes, emphasizing prompt detection and treatment.

Conclusions:

Advances in continuous EEG monitoring enhance seizure detection accuracy and identify at-risk infants.
Novel therapeutic strategies aim to improve seizure control while minimizing adverse developmental effects.
Effective management of neonatal seizures is critical for acute stabilization and long-term neurodevelopmental health, including reducing future epilepsy risk.