Block 2 Lecture 4 -- Epilepsy Flashcards
How are focal seizures classified?
according to change in consciousness
Describe simple focal seizures?
15s-3min
- small region of brain
- consciousness retained
- motor, somatosensory, autonomic, psychic sxs
Describe complex focal seizures.
15s-3min
- begin as simple focal
- unconscious repetition of simple actions
- aura?
- lacks memory
- impaired consciousness
Describe secondarily generalized seizures.
- consciousness impaired
- - caused by complex focal seizure
Describe generalized seizures.
bilaterally symmetrical, whole-brain involvement, without local onset and with loss of consciousness
Describe tonic-clonic seizures.
30-60s
- tonic phase = absence of breathing, tongue biting
- clonic phase
Describe absence seizures
3-30s
– unresponsive
Describe myoclonic seizure
seconds
– brief muscle contractions and jerky movements
Describe tonic seizure
seconds
- muscle stiffening;
- extremities pushed or pulled
Describe atonic seizure
seconds
– loss of muscle tone (fall)
What brain imaging tests are used for epilepsy diagnosis?
1) CT
2) fMRI
3) MRI
4) PET
5) SPECT
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
2 unprovoked seizures more than 24 hours apart
- observation
- neuro exam
- neurophys tests
- blood tests
- EEG
What are non-drug epilepsy therapies?
surgery (excision/gamma knife)
neurostim
- vagal nerve
- responsive neurostimulation
- deep brain stimulation
What is RNS?
applied cortical stimulation that has been shown to terminate electrographic seizures
What was the conclusion of the SANTE trial?
deep brain stimulation (historically for PD and movement disorders) not effective for epilepsy
