52 Questions
What percentage of early onset epilepsy cases are believed to have a genetic cause?
50%
During which stage of life is the brain most malleable?
Childhood
What is the estimated risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)?
0.1% - 0.2%
What is a result of recurrent epileptic brain activity during childhood?
Permanent changes to the brain's shape
Why do children have an advantage over adults with epilepsy surgery?
Their brains are more malleable
In epilepsy, what happens to the electrical signals in the brain?
They become scrambled and sometimes burst with activity
What is the possible genetic link to epilepsy?
1 in 3 people with epilepsy have a family member with it
What is a common trigger for seizures in people with epilepsy?
Lack of sleep
What is the main symptom of epilepsy?
Repeated seizures
What type of seizure affects only one hemisphere of the brain?
Focal aware seizure
What is the term for uncontrollable jerking and shaking during a seizure?
Fit
What is the name of the professional organization that establishes the terminology and approaches for classifying seizures and forms of epilepsy?
International League Against Epilepsy
What is the framework used by healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients with epilepsy?
Classification of the Epilepsies
What is taken into account when classifying seizures under the new system?
Seizure onset, additional features, and expanded classification
What is the term for a seizure that involves the entire brain?
Generalized seizure
What is the term for a seizure that has no physical component?
Absence seizure
What is the common term for simple focal seizures?
Auras
What is the duration of a myoclonic seizure?
A fraction of a second
What is the term for a seizure that lasts a long time or a series of seizures where the person does not regain consciousness in between?
Status epilepticus
What is the purpose of an EEG?
To check for unusual electrical activity in the brain
What happens to the muscles during an atonic seizure?
They suddenly relax
What happens to the person's consciousness during a complex focal seizure?
They lose the sense of awareness
What is the term for a seizure that affects children mainly, but can happen at any age?
Absence seizure
What is the purpose of an MRI scan in diagnosing epilepsy?
To spot problems in the brain that can sometimes cause epilepsy
What happens to the person's bladder or bowel control during a tonic-clonic seizure?
They lose control of the bladder or bowel
What is the duration of the clonic stage of a tonic-clonic seizure?
A few minutes
What is the risk associated with the use of phenobarbital and topiramate during pregnancy?
Both neurodevelopmental toxicity and increased risk of intra-uterine growth restriction
What is the recommended duration for reducing dosage when withdrawing antiepileptic drugs?
At least three months
What should be done if seizures recur during or after discontinuation of an antiepileptic drug?
Reverse the last dose reduction and seek guidance from an epilepsy specialist
Why is it recommended to withdraw only one antiepileptic drug at a time in patients receiving multiple drugs?
To minimize the risk of seizure recurrence
What is the recommended duration for withdrawing barbiturates and benzodiazepines?
Over a longer period than other antiepileptic drugs
What should be done before considering the withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs from a seizure-free patient?
Assess the risk of seizure recurrence
What is the treatment used to control seizures by changing the electrical signals in the brain?
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Which medication is a Sodium Channel Blocker?
Carbamazepine
What is the name of the nerve that is stimulated in Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)?
Vagus Nerve
What is the term for medications that increase GABA?
GABA Modulators
Which medication is not recommended for females who are able to have children?
Sodium Valproate
What is the purpose of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?
To change the electrical signals in the brain
What is the term for the diet that is used to help manage epilepsy?
Ketogenic Diet
Which medication is a Calcium Channel Blocker?
Gabapentin
What is the purpose of Brain Surgery?
To remove part of the brain
Which of the following can exacerbate absence or myoclonic seizures?
All of the above
What is the first-line treatment for absence seizures?
Ethosuximide
Which of the following medications should be avoided in patients with myoclonic seizures?
Phenobarbital
What is the recommended treatment for atonic or tonic seizures in females who are able to have children?
Lamotrigine
What is the estimated risk of congenital malformations associated with valproate use during pregnancy?
10%
According to the MHRA/CHM advice, what is the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with valproate use during pregnancy?
30-40%
Which of the following medications is not associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations?
Lamotrigine
What is the recommended treatment for absence seizures if ethosuximide is unsuccessful?
Sodium valproate
Which of the following medications is highly teratogenic and should not be used in females of childbearing potential?
Valproate
What is the recommended treatment for myoclonic seizures in females who are able to have children?
Levetiracetam
What is the recommended treatment for atonic or tonic seizures if lamotrigine is unsuccessful?
All of the above
Learn about the causes and effects of early onset epilepsy in children, including the genetic factors and impact on brain development. Understand how recurrent epileptic brain activity can lead to lifelong mental, psychosocial, and motor problems.
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