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Related Concept Videos

Arteries of the Lower Limbs01:24

Arteries of the Lower Limbs

189
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...
189
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

399
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...
399
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

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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...
345
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

183
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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Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

Electroconvulsive Therapy

39
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early...
39
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

551
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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Position Statement on Noninvasive Seizure Detection/Alerting Devices: A Joint Statement of the American Epilepsy Society, the Epilepsy Foundation, and the Danny Did Foundation.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2025

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid GABA into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
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Treatment gaps in epilepsy.

Jacob Pellinen1

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.

Frontiers in Epidemiology
|March 8, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Millions face epilepsy care challenges globally due to under-recognition and access barriers. Addressing stigma, education, and healthcare disparities is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy patients worldwide.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Public Health
  • Global Health Equity

Background:

  • Epilepsy affects over 50 million people globally, with significant care access issues.
  • Disparities in epilepsy care exist in both low- and middle-income countries and within high-income nations.
  • Under-recognition of seizures leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment, exacerbated by stigma and educational deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and highlight the multifaceted barriers to epilepsy care worldwide.
  • To identify challenges in seizure recognition, diagnosis, and treatment initiation and optimization.
  • To underscore the need for improved access to quality epilepsy care.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article.
  • The study synthesizes existing literature on epilepsy care barriers.
Keywords:
accessibilitybarriersdiagnoisisdisparitieshealthcare deliveryneurologyunderutilization

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  • It focuses on global challenges including socioeconomic, technological, and educational factors.

    • Main Results:

    • Barriers include stigma, inadequate public and healthcare worker education, and limited access to basic care.
    • Language, economic, and technological hurdles impede timely diagnosis and treatment in various regions.
    • Gaps exist in optimal seizure control and access to epilepsy surgery, even after diagnosis.

    Conclusions:

    • Significant barriers hinder epilepsy recognition, diagnosis, and treatment globally.
    • Addressing these challenges requires multifaceted interventions targeting education, access, and healthcare systems.
    • Improving care for the 50 million+ people with epilepsy necessitates overcoming systemic and individual obstacles.