What is Purple Day?
A day dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy
worldwide.
On 26th March, people from around the globe are
encouraged to wear purple and spread the word about
epilepsy.
Why Purple?
Lavender is the international colour for epilepsy.
Who started Purple Day?
Nine year old Cassidy Megan created the idea of Purple
Day in 2008, motivated by her own struggles with
epilepsy.
With the help of The Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia
and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation, Purple Day was
officially launched.
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
Schools around the
world wearing purple
and spreading
awareness.
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
Different businesses and
organisations as well
encourage their employees
to wear purple and spread
awareness.
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
What is Epilepsy?
• A condition of the brain that is characterized
by spontaneous, recurrent seizures.
• Prevalence: 0.5 - 1.0% of population
• Can be caused by any pathology affecting the
cortex (genetic, infectious, traumatic, vascular,
etc.)
According to WHO
• An estimated number of 50 million
people are living with epilepsy and
around 35 million have little or no
access to treatment.
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
When do seizures occur?
Brain cells communicate with each other by
means of tiny bursts of electrical activity.
When a group of brain cells have an
unexpected erratic electrical discharge, a
seizure occurs.
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
The Diagnosis:
Patient’s medical history is
obtained.
Patient is then tested. There are different types of
tests that can be conducted including:
EGG
MRI Scan
(Electroencephalogram)
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
Seizure Classification
Epileptic
Seizures
Generalised
Absence
Myoclonic
Atonic
Tonic-clonic
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Partial
Simple
Complex
Secondarily
Secondarily Generalised
Generalized
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
Antiepileptic Drugs
• Phenobarbital
1912
• Phenytoin (Dilantin) 1938
• Primidone (Mysoline) 1952
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)1960s
• Valproic acid (Depakene) 1970s
•
Since 1991:
• Clobazam (Frisium)
• Vigabatrin (Sabril)
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Gabapentin (Neurontin)
• Topiramate (Topimax)
• Oxcarbazepine (Trileptil)
• Levetiracetam (Keppra)
• Pregabalin
• Stiripentol
• Zonisamide
NOTE: Plegabalin is not available in Canada
Since 2003:
• Lacosamide (Vimpat)
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
First Aid for Convulsive Seizures
•Remain Calm
•Protect from further injury
•Do not restrain movement
•Do not force anything in
the mouth
•Roll the person on their
side
•If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or
repeats without full recovery SEEK MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
First Aid for Non-convulsive Seizures
•Stay with the person
•Do not restrain, but
gently guide the person
away from danger
•Observe carefully
After All Types of Seizures
Speak calmly, be comforting and reassuring. The
person may be confused for 10-30 minutes after the
seizure ends.
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator
Wear Purple on March 26th and
support epilepsy awareness
globally.
Visit www.purpleday.org to find out
more information about epilepsy.
Created by Latifa Matter & Ahmed Matter
Sources: www.purpleday.org and
Presentation made by Susan R. Rahey
Neurophysiology Program Coordinator