epilepsy and treatment W2

Question 1

what is epilepsy characterised by?

Answer 1

≥2 unprovoked seizures
or
one unprovoked seizure, and high probability of more

Question 2

what is a seizure?

Answer 2

abnormal excessive or synchronous discharge of cortical neurones

Question 3

2 main classes of seizures?

Answer 3

generalised onset(whole brain)
focal onset (part of brain)

Question 4

3 causes of seizures?

Answer 4

unprovoked (epilepsy)
provoked
symptomatic

Question 5

2 types of genetic generalised epilepsy?

Answer 5

idiopathic generalised
primary generalised

Question 6

3 types of focal onset?

Answer 6

cryptogenic
lesion localisation
partial epilepsies

Question 7

type of problem in each type of seizure? (simplified)

Answer 7

generalised - software problem (problem in brain ‘programming’
focal - hardware problem (problem in structure of the brain)

Question 8

SUDEP?

Answer 8

sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

Question 9

features of epilepsy other than seizures?

Answer 9

mood disorders
cognitive impairments
other morbidity associated with underlying cause of epilepsy

Question 10

prognosis of epilepsy?

Answer 10

remission with treatment around 70% within the first year
rates increase with time
lifelong treatment not usually required

Question 11

important factors when diagnosing epilepsy?

Answer 11

focus on history
some tests, but many PWE have normal tests

Question 12

types of epilepsy treatment?

Answer 12

nothing!
dietary
drugs
surgery

Question 13

drugs for epilepsy? - first line in UK

Answer 13

lamotrigine
levetiracetam
sodium valproate

Question 14

what can some epilepsy drugs exacerbate?

Answer 14

mental heath problems