Epilepsy and Anti-Epileptic Drugs

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Questions and Answers

What is epilepsy characterized by?

Chronic inflammation of the brain.

Impaired vision and hearing.

None of the above

Excessive, sustained, and synchronized electrical discharges in a network of neurons. (correct)

What is epilepsy characterized by?

None of the above

Abnormalities in the levels of neurotransmitters.

Decreased neural inhibition and increased neural excitation.

Excessive, sustained, and synchronized electrical discharges in a network of neurons. (correct)

What are the two broad categories of epilepsy?

Focal and generalized (correct)

None of the above

Absence and myoclonic

Tonic and clonic

What are the two broad categories of epilepsy?

Focal and generalized Signup and view all the answers

What are the hallmark symptoms of epilepsy?

Seizures. Signup and view all the answers

What are the hallmark symptoms of epilepsy?

Seizures. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of patients have a relative with epilepsy?

Up to 30%. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of patients have a relative with epilepsy?

Up to 30%. Signup and view all the answers

How do anti-epileptic drugs work?

By increasing neural inhibition or decreasing neural excitation. Signup and view all the answers

How do anti-epileptic drugs work?

By increasing neural inhibition or decreasing neural excitation. Signup and view all the answers

What provides the major target for a number of anti-epileptic drugs?

Sodium channels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major target of a number of anti-epileptic drugs?

Sodium channels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain?

GABA Signup and view all the answers

What is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain?

GABA Signup and view all the answers

What does vigabatrin do?

Inhibits GABA transaminase, which leads to increased GABA levels in the synaptic cleft. Signup and view all the answers

What does vigabatrin do?

Inhibits GABA transaminase, which leads to increased GABA levels in the synaptic cleft. Signup and view all the answers

What are some non-pharmacological means of managing epilepsy?

Surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and a ketogenic diet. Signup and view all the answers

What are some non-pharmacological means of managing epilepsy?

Surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and a ketogenic diet. Signup and view all the answers

Are all anti-epileptic drugs safe during pregnancy?

No, some have the potential to be teratogenic Signup and view all the answers

Are all anti-epileptic drugs considered safe during pregnancy?

No. Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

Is breastfeeding while taking AEDs safe?

Generally, yes. Signup and view all the answers

Is it safe to breastfeed while taking AEDs?

Generally, yes. Signup and view all the answers

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.

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Description

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