Epilepsy Flashcards
Studying for exam 2
Define
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is not a single disease or condition. It is an episodic disturbance of behavior or perception arising from hyperexictability and hypersynchronous discharge of nerve cells in the brain that can be associated with a variety of etiologies
Epilepsy — also known as a seizure disorder — is a brain condition that causes recurring seizures. There are many types of epilepsy. In some people, the cause can be identified. In others, the cause is not known.
Epilepsy is common.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder
1st definition From Lezak pg. 242
2nd definition from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Define
Epileptic Seizures
Epileptic seizures are episodes in which synchronous activity of nerve cells increases so that there is excessive firing that spreads over a large area of the brain (often referred
to as a “storm”)
From Exam 2 Review Slides
What are the types of seizures?
Based on the type of behavior and brain
activity:
1. GENERALIZED seizures: Produced by neurons firing throughout the entire
brain
2. PARTIAL seizures (also called local or focal): Produced (at least initially) by neurons firing in a
relatively small part of the brain
From Exam 2 Review Slides
Explain
GENERALIZED Seizures
Types of generalized seizures:
➢MOTOR
* Tonic-clonic
* Tonic: Muscle stiffness, rigidity
* Clonic: Repetitive, jerking movements
* Atonic: Loss of muscle tone
* Myoclonic: Sporadic, isolated, jerking
movements
➢NON-MOTOR
* Absence
