Antiseizure Drugs Flashcards
(45 cards)
What is epilepsy?
A chronic disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
What is a seizure?
A finite episode of brain dysfunction caused by abnormal discharge of cerebral neurons.
What causes the abnormal brain activity in seizures?
Abnormal discharge (electrical activity) of neurons in the brain.
List common causes of seizures.
Infections, brain tumors (neoplasms), head injury, and other neurologic diseases.
Can epilepsy be inherited?
Yes, heredity can be a factor in some subgroups of epilepsy.
What type of genetic inheritance is usually seen in familial epilepsy?
Autosomal dominant.
What types of genes are often involved in genetic epilepsy?
Genes that code for voltage-gated ion channels or GABA-A receptors.
What are voltage-gated ion channels?
Proteins in neuron membranes that control the flow of electrical signals.
What is the role of GABA-A receptors?
They help calm down brain activity by responding to GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
What happens if GABA-A receptors are defective?
The brain may become overexcited, increasing the risk of seizures.
Can one family have different types of epilepsy?
Yes, a single family may show multiple epilepsy syndromes.
Name three epilepsy syndromes that might appear in one family.
Febrile seizures, absence attacks, and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
What are febrile seizures?
Seizures that occur in children triggered by fever.
What are absence attacks?
Brief seizures where the person stares blankly and becomes unresponsive.
What is juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?
A form of epilepsy starting in adolescence with sudden jerking movements (myoclonus).
What is meant by “etiologic specificity” in epilepsy drug therapy?
Drugs that treat the specific cause of epilepsy (not just symptoms).
Which seizure type clearly shows drug specificity?
Absence seizures.
What do EEG findings in absence seizures show?
2–3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges.
Which drugs are effective for absence seizures?
Ethosuximide and valproate.
Which drugs can worsen absence seizures?
Phenytoin and carbamazepine.
What are absence seizures like in a person?
Sudden brief episodes of staring and unresponsiveness, often in children.
Why is blocking voltage-gated sodium channels helpful in epilepsy?
It reduces excessive firing of neurons and prevents seizures.
What is drug resistance in epilepsy treatment?
When seizures are not controlled by medication, either from the start or after some time.
What are two possible reasons for drug resistance?
Impaired access of drugs to target sites or insensitivity of target molecules.
