11.3 Flashcards
(10 cards)
- What is the primary goal of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)?
To stabilize neuronal membranes by altering ion channels and neurotransmitter levels, thereby controlling seizures in about 70% of patients.
- What are common mechanisms of action for AEDs?
They block sodium and calcium channels, enhance GABAergic inhibition, reduce glutamate excitation, or modulate vesicular release.
- What non-pharmacological treatments are used for epilepsy?
Options include the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and surgical removal of epileptogenic tissue.
- How does the ketogenic diet help manage epilepsy?
By inducing ketosis, it alters brain metabolism, increases GABAergic activity, and reduces neuronal excitability, especially in drug-resistant cases.
- What is the mechanism behind vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in epilepsy?
VNS delivers intermittent electrical pulses via an implanted device to the vagus nerve, modulating brain activity and enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission.
- How does deep brain stimulation (DBS) work in refractory epilepsy?
DBS targets specific brain regions (such as the thalamus or hippocampus) with electrical impulses to normalize abnormal neural firing and reduce seizure frequency.
- What advances are being made in genetic research for epilepsy?
Genetic testing is identifying specific mutations, which is paving the way for precision therapies like antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA targeting disease-specific genetic variants.
- What novel drug development approaches are emerging for epilepsy?
New strategies include drugs designed for specific genetic subtypes, repurposed compounds like cannabidiol (CBD), and agents with novel mechanisms of action.
- What are some challenges in current epilepsy treatments?
Approximately 30% of patients remain drug-resistant, and long-term AED use can lead to adverse side effects and complex drug interactions.
- What trends are seen in brain stimulation technology for epilepsy treatment?
Innovations include responsive neurostimulation systems that adjust stimulation based on real-time brain activity and refined DBS protocols for more precise targeting.
