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

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

1.1K
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...
1.1K
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

1.2K
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:
1.2K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

820
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...
820
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

555
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...
555
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

1.1K
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...
1.1K
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview01:24

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

495
Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as...
495

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Psychosocial Burden and Suicidality in Epilepsy: A Public Health Concern.

Epilepsy currents·2025
Same author

Anxiety and school avoidance in an 8-year-old child with epilepsy.

Epilepsy & behavior reports·2024
Same author

Psychiatric Residue of Epilepsy Surgery: De Novo or Not.

Epilepsy currents·2019
Same author

Reply to Czarnota, Wiglusz, and Cubaƚa.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B·2019
Same author

Treatment Works, So Who's Afraid of PNES?

Epilepsy currents·2019
Same author

Connecting Mind, Brain, and Seizures by Default Mode.

Epilepsy currents·2019
Same journal

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: Emerging Use Disorder, Mechanisms of Action, and Clinical Considerations for Pharmacotherapy.

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)·2026
Same journal

Major Depression and Antidepressant Treatment: Impact on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes.

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)·2026
Same journal

Violence Risk Factors in Psychiatric Populations.

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)·2026
Same journal

Contextualizing Violence Risk Associated With Hallucinogens.

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)·2026
Same journal

Ethical and Legal Aspects of Forensic Psychiatry.

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)·2026
Same journal

From Fear to Framework: Toward Understanding of Violence and Mental Illness.

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

10.0K

Mood Disorders in Epilepsy.

Jay Salpekar1

  • 1Dr. Salpekar is director of the Neuropsychiatry and Epilepsy Program, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (e-mail: salpekar@kennedykrieger.org).

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)
|January 25, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mood disorders, particularly depression, are common in epilepsy and increase suicide risk. Effective treatment of these mood disorders is crucial for improving quality of life in epilepsy patients.

Keywords:
Epilepsy-seizure disordersMood Disorders (Neuropsychiatric Aspects)

More Related Videos

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

3.3K
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

955

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

10.0K
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

3.3K
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

955

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Mood disorders are frequently observed in epilepsy patients, occurring more often than in other chronic conditions.
  • Depression is a significant comorbidity in epilepsy, associated with increased suicidality.
  • Both psychosocial factors and intrinsic seizure disorder characteristics can contribute to depressive symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prevalence and characteristics of mood disorders in epilepsy.
  • To discuss the bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and depression.
  • To outline current treatment strategies for comorbid depression in epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mood disorders and epilepsy.
  • Analysis of the impact of seizure characteristics on depression.
  • Evaluation of treatment options for depression in epilepsy patients.

Main Results:

  • Epilepsy is associated with a high prevalence of mood disorders, especially depression.
  • Temporal lobe epilepsy may confer a higher risk for depression, particularly with non-generalized seizures.
  • Depression and epilepsy can mutually worsen each other's symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Treatment for depression in epilepsy is essential and multifaceted, involving psychotherapy and anticonvulsants.
  • While many antidepressants are considered safe, high-quality evidence is limited.
  • Managing comorbid mood disorders significantly impacts patient outcomes and quality of life, potentially more than epilepsy management alone.