PCOL 8-2 Epilepsy

Diagnosis of Epilepsy

• Diagnosis of epilepsy is primarily conducted through clinical evaluation and patient history.
• Neuroimaging, EEG (electroencephalogram), and blood tests may be utilized for a comprehensive assessment.

Types of Seizures

• Focal seizures, also known as partial seizures, involve neurons activated in a small, discrete region of the brain.

Clinical Manifestation of Complex Partial Seizures

• Complex partial seizures lead to altered consciousness or awareness, often featuring automatisms like lip smacking or repetitive movements.

Causes of Convulsions, Anxiety, and High Blood Pressure

• These symptoms can occur due to excessive neuronal excitation or dysfunction in brain circuits involved in regulating mood and physiological responses.

Effects of Excess GABA Overinhibition

• Overinhibition from excess GABA can lead to impaired neuronal communication, muscle weakness, and sedative effects, potentially resulting in coma or lethargy.

Target of Na+ Channel Blockers

• Na+ channel blockers specifically target excitatory neurons, inhibiting action potentials and reducing excessive neuronal firing.

Binding Protein of Glutamate Release Blockers

• Glutamate release blockers bind to the synaptic vesicle protein, disrupting the release of glutamate and modulating excitatory neurotransmission.

Common Side Effects of Na+ Channel Blockers

• A common side effect includes dizziness, drowsiness, or ataxia due to their impact on neuronal excitability.

Common Side Effects of Glutamate Release Blockers

• Side effects can include fatigue, nausea, and headaches as a result of altered neurotransmitter dynamics.

Mechanism of Action of Perampanel (Fycompa)

• Perampanel primarily functions as a non-competitive antagonist of AMPA receptors, reducing glutamatergic activity and preventing seizure propagation.

Medication Enhancing GABA Actions

• Benzodiazepines enhance GABA actions and can lead to the rapid development of tolerance in patients, diminishing their effectiveness over time.

Test your knowledge about epilepsy and anticonvulsants with this quiz. Learn about the disorder of the brain characterized by a predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and the diagnosis criteria. Explore the different causes and the impact of epilepsy, as well as the role of anticonvulsants in managing seizures.