24 Questions
What is epilepsy characterized by?
Excessive, sustained, and synchronized electrical discharges in a network of neurons.
What is epilepsy characterized by?
Excessive, sustained, and synchronized electrical discharges in a network of neurons.
What are the two broad categories of epilepsy?
Focal and generalized
What are the two broad categories of epilepsy?
Focal and generalized
What are the hallmark symptoms of epilepsy?
Seizures.
What are the hallmark symptoms of epilepsy?
Seizures.
What percentage of patients have a relative with epilepsy?
Up to 30%.
What percentage of patients have a relative with epilepsy?
Up to 30%.
How do anti-epileptic drugs work?
By increasing neural inhibition or decreasing neural excitation.
How do anti-epileptic drugs work?
By increasing neural inhibition or decreasing neural excitation.
What provides the major target for a number of anti-epileptic drugs?
Sodium channels.
What is the major target of a number of anti-epileptic drugs?
Sodium channels.
What is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain?
GABA
What is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain?
GABA
What does vigabatrin do?
Inhibits GABA transaminase, which leads to increased GABA levels in the synaptic cleft.
What does vigabatrin do?
Inhibits GABA transaminase, which leads to increased GABA levels in the synaptic cleft.
What are some non-pharmacological means of managing epilepsy?
Surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and a ketogenic diet.
What are some non-pharmacological means of managing epilepsy?
Surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and a ketogenic diet.
Are all anti-epileptic drugs safe during pregnancy?
No, some have the potential to be teratogenic
Are all anti-epileptic drugs considered safe during pregnancy?
No.
What should women with epilepsy do if they plan to become pregnant?
Plan their pregnancy, receive prenatal counselling, and take the safest AED at the lowest effective dose possible
What should women do if they have epilepsy and are planning to become pregnant?
Plan their pregnancy, receive prenatal counselling, and take the safest AED at the lowest effective dose possible
Is breastfeeding while taking AEDs safe?
Generally, yes.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking AEDs?
Generally, yes.
Study Notes
- Epilepsy is characterized by excessive, sustained, and synchronized electrical discharges in a network of neurons.
- There are two broad categories of epilepsy: focal and generalized.
- Seizures are the hallmark symptoms of epilepsy and have their own classification system.
- Up to 30% of patients have a relative with epilepsy, and the inheritance is complex.
- Seizures occur due to defects at many different levels of neuronal and/or glial function.
- Anti-epileptic drugs work by increasing neural inhibition or decreasing neural excitation.
- Sodium channels provide the major target for a number of anti-epileptic drugs.
- Calcium channels are also putative targets for a large number of anti-epileptic drugs.
- GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and potentiation of its action has an anticonvulsant effect.
- Vigabatrin inhibits GABA transaminase, which leads to increased GABA levels in the synaptic cleft.1. There are many causes of epilepsy, including genetic factors and brain injury.
- Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) work by targeting various ion channels, receptors or neurotransmitters.
- Sodium channels are a common target of AEDs, including phenytoin and carbamazepine.
- GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and many AEDs, including benzodiazepines, enhance its action.
- Other non-pharmacological means of managing epilepsy include surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and a ketogenic diet.
- AEDs have the potential to be teratogenic, but some are considered safer than others during pregnancy.
- Seizure frequency may change during pregnancy due to various factors.
- The risks of epilepsy to the mother outweigh the theoretical risks of AEDs during pregnancy.
- Women should plan their pregnancy, receive prenatal counselling, and take the safest AED at the lowest effective dose possible.
- Breastfeeding while taking AEDs is generally safe.
Test your knowledge on epilepsy and anti-epileptic drugs with this informative quiz. From the various causes of epilepsy to the mechanisms of action of anti-epileptic drugs, this quiz will cover it all. Discover the common targets of AEDs, the non-pharmacological approaches to managing epilepsy, and the potential risks associated with AED use during pregnancy. With 10 questions to challenge your understanding, this quiz is perfect for healthcare professionals or anyone interested in learning more about epilepsy and its
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