1. mechanisms of epilepsy generation Flashcards
(16 cards)
what is the basic physiology behind a seizure in terms of neurones?
highly excitable neurones are probe to runaway excitation which leads to synchronous firing (i.e. a seizure).
what are 3 main reasons seizures happen
- loss of cortical microcircuit inhibition
- hyper-excitable cortical firing
- large scale brain networks
what the difference between focal and general epilepsy
focal: originates in one area of brain.
General: originates in one area and SPREADS
what is an example of focal-onset epilepsy
temporal lobe epilepsy
causes of epilepsy
- genetic variation (977 causing genes, inc brain development, synaptic structure…_
- environmental exposure (traumatic brain injury, infection, drug misuse)
- genetic-environmental interaction
4. unknown
what do anti-epileptic drugs do
act as neurotransmitter receptors or neuronal ion channels
what is the purpose of brain surgery
remove hyper-excitable seizure focus (the drive)and sever connections in large scale networks
what is neuromodulation
deep brain stimulation or vagus nerve stimulation.
electrical stim delivered to region to alter properties of large scale networks which prevent seizures arising
what class of neurotransmitters and post synaptic receptors in epileptic medication
NT: GABA
receptors: GABA-A
what does retigabine do
modulates/opens voltage gated (V.G.) potassium channels
what does gabapentin do
inhibits effects of calcium channels
what do the following drugs do:
phenytoin, carbamazepine, locos amide and lamotrigine
block V.G. sodium channels
what does levetiracem do
åter effect of - voltage-gated potassium channels modulated/opened
what does tiogabine do
GAT1 GABA reuptake transporter blocked
what does perampanel do
acts as antagonist to AMPA receptor
what does ethosuximide do
T type calcium channel blocker
