Epilespy

Question 1

What is Epilepsy?

Answer 1

A tendency to have recurrent seizures (episodes of altered consciousness)

Question 2

How common is epilepsy worldwide?

Answer 2

75 million cases worldwide. Third most common neurological disease, after stroke and Alzheimer’s

Question 3

Incidence distribution of Epilepsy is associated with what?

Answer 3

Socio-economic factors, due to reduced employment opportunities

Question 4

How is Epilepsy diagnosed?

Answer 4

Clinical history by patient or observations from others
EEG
- Baseline EEG - looking for interictal activity
-Video-telemetry: simultaneous EEG and video, often done while withdrawing anti-epileptic medication

Question 5

What is interictal activity?

Answer 5

Transient, abnormal focal neural discharges seen on electroencephalogram
Recordings taken during periods between seizures

Question 6

What are some co-morbidities associated with Epilepsy

Answer 6

Excess mortality
Memory Deficits - interictal events, drug side effects
Schizophrenia - 7-fold increase in incidence in both directions
Depression, stress, anxiety
Downward social movement

Question 7

Cortical synaptic connections are weak or strong?

Answer 7

Weak, pyramidal cell activation requires many synchronous inputs