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

271
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...
271
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

206
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
206
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

577
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:
577
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

504
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...
504
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

270
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...
270
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

609
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...
609

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Real-world use of Cenobamate in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy: A European multicenter retrospective study.

Epilepsia open·2026
Same author

Interview with Jeffrey A. Mensah, recipient of the 2026 Epilepsia Prize for basic science research.

Epilepsia·2026
Same author

Interview with Lennart N. Kersting, recipient of the 2026 Epilepsia Prize for clinical research.

Epilepsia·2026
Same author

Burst-Suppression EEG in Early Infantile Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies: Phenotype, Genotype, and Outcome.

Neurology·2026
Same author

Listening across frequencies: Capturing seizures of all patients to advance antiseizure medication development.

Epilepsia·2026
Same author

Developmental and/or epileptic encephalopathy with spike-and-wave activation in sleep: Pathophysiological insights and treatment options.

Epilepsia·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 5, 2025

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

2.8K

Paediatric epilepsy and cognition.

Stéphane Auvin1,2,3

  • 1Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|July 8, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Children with epilepsy frequently experience cognitive comorbidities. Key risk factors include epilepsy type, seizure recurrence, medications, and brain abnormalities, necessitating early screening and management.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice
13:34

Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice

Published on: June 4, 2020

8.5K
Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model
07:06

Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model

Published on: June 12, 2018

33.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 5, 2025

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

2.8K
Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice
13:34

Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice

Published on: June 4, 2020

8.5K
Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model
07:06

Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model

Published on: June 12, 2018

33.5K

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Cognitive comorbidities are significantly more prevalent in children with epilepsy compared to the general population.
  • Cognitive function in this demographic requires diligent screening, diagnosis, and management.
  • Cognitive impairment is an evolving process influenced by maturation and epileptic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the current understanding of cognitive comorbidities in pediatric epilepsy.
  • To identify major risk factors contributing to cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy.
  • To highlight the role of advanced diagnostics in understanding cognitive deficits.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cognitive comorbidities in pediatric epilepsy.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to cognitive impairment, including etiology, seizure characteristics, and treatments.
  • Emphasis on the utility of genetic and neuroimaging studies.

Main Results:

  • Underlying etiology and epilepsy syndrome are primary risk factors for cognitive impairment.
  • Seizure recurrence, antiseizure medications, and interictal abnormalities also contribute to cognitive deficits.
  • Some cases present with rapid cognitive deterioration, indicative of epileptic encephalopathy.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive comorbidities are a significant concern in children with epilepsy.
  • Early identification and management of cognitive impairments are crucial.
  • Advanced genetic and neuroimaging techniques offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction.