Seizures

Question 0

Grand mal seizure

Answer 0

Lasts few secs up to 4 mons
Sudden unconciousness. Body stiffens, then exhibits jerky movements. Then relaxed again. Wake up quite fatigued
Extreme neuronal discharges in all areas of brain
Can be genetically predisposed
Storng emotional stimuli, alkalosis by overbreathing, drugs, flashing lights

Question 1

Types of seizures

Answer 1

Can be generalised (grand or petit mal)

Or focal/partial (simple or complex)

Question 2

Petit mal seizure

Answer 2

3-30 secs of diminshed conciousness
Usually in 4-13 yo
Twitch like contractions of muscles in head (eyes blinking) very mild
Prolonged inhib post synaptic potentials on sensory thalamic relay neurones

Question 3

Focal seizure

Answer 3

Has its origin in particular lobe of brain (can be almost any part)
Result of some localised organic lesion or functional abnorm
Lesioins promote rapid discharge in local neurones –> synchrous waves spreading
Gradually gets to epileptic discharge zone in cortex
When in motor cortex, Muscle contractions throughout opp side of body beginning usually at mouth down to legs (jacksonian epilepsy)

Question 4

Psychomotor seizure

Answer 4

Causes short amnesia
Abnormal rage, anxiety, incoherent speech
Involve limbic portion of brain