Unit 4: PPT Cards Flashcards
(50 cards)
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Differentiate between primary and secondary epilepsy
Primary (Idiopathic) Epilepsy: No identifiable cause, often starts in childhood.
* Secondary Epilepsy: Caused by trauma, infection, stroke, tumors, or brain injury
What are the major types of seizures?
- Partial Seizures (Petit Mal): Affect one area; can be simple (no loss of consciousness) or complex (impaired awareness).
- Generalized Seizures (Grand Mal): Affect both hemispheres, including tonic-clonic, absence, tonic, clonic seizures.
- Status Epilepticus: Continuous seizures lasting >5 minutes, a medical emergency.
What is the goal of antiepileptic therapy?
To prevent seizures while minimizing side effects and toxicity.
Name first-line drugs for acute seizures.
Benzodiazepines (e.g., Lorazepam, Diazepam).
What are the commonly used maintenance antiepileptic drugs?
- Phenytoin (Dilantin): Risk of gingival hypertrophy, highly protein-bound, given slow IV infusion.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol): Liver enzyme inducer, risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
- Valproic Acid (Depakote): Blocks sodium channels, teratogenic.
- Phenobarbital: Barbiturate, increases GABA.
What is a major risk with antiepileptic drugs?
Narrow therapeutic range – requires regular monitoring to avoid toxicity.
What causes Parkinson’s Disease?
Loss of dopamine-producing neurons, leading to an imbalance between dopamine (inhibitory) and acetylcholine (excitatory).
What are the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s?
TRAP:
* Tremor
* Rigidity
* Akinesia (bradykinesia)
* Postural instability
What is the “on-off phenomenon” in Parkinson’s treatment?
Fluctuation between mobility (“on”) and freezing (“off”) due to variable levodopa effectiveness.
Parkinson’s Disease Medications:
Levodopa-Carbidopa (Sinemet): Levodopa converts to dopamine,
while Carbidopa prevents breakdown before crossing the blood-brain barrier.
What are other drug classes used for Parkinson’s?
- MAO-B Inhibitors: Selegiline, Rasagiline (increase dopamine levels).
- Dopamine Agonists: Bromocriptine, Pramipexole.
- COMT Inhibitors: Entacapone (prolongs levodopa effect).
- Anticholinergics: Benztropine (Cogentin) (reduces tremors and rigidity).
What foods should patients on MAOIs avoid?
Tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheese, red wine, fermented meats) to prevent hypertensive crisis.
Q: What are the three major types of mental health disorders?
- Anxiety disorders
- Affective (Mood) disorders
- Psychotic disorders
What is the biochemical imbalance theory?
Mental disorders arise due to imbalances in neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine.
Name first-line anxiolytic drugs.
Benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam).
What is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
A: Flumazenil (Anexate).
Antidepressants:
What are the four major classes of antidepressants?
- SSRIs: Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Cipralex)
- SNRIs: Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- TCAs: Amitriptyline (Elavil)
- MAOIs: Phenelzine (Nardil), Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
What are SSRI’s?
Class of anti depressions to treat depression and other mental health conditions
SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain.
What is SNRI?
a class of antidepressants that help treat depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
They work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
What is TCA?
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of medications used to treat depression and other conditions.
They are also known as first-generation antidepressant
What is serotonin syndrome?
Excess serotonin leading to hyperthermia, tremors, diaphoresis, confusion.
Why should patients on TCAs be given only small doses at a time?
High risk of overdose, leading to seizures and dysrhythmias.
What is the hallmark symptom of psychotic disorders?
Loss of contact with reality (e.g., hallucinations, delusions).
