Epilepsy
P. Ockuly, Champlin Park H.S.
&
B. Tapper, Agape H.S.
Epilepsy
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Defining Epilepsy
Categories of seizures
Neuron anatomy and physiology Review
Treatments
Living with Epilepsy (seizures)
Controversies
Research
Epilepsy the misconception
Is a specific disease
It is an Umbrella
Term
for having 2 or More
Seizures
in the Brain
The Epilepsy Label
is given when 2 more seizures
occur in the brain (cortex)
A Seizure is massive disruption of
electrical communication between
neurons in the brain leading to temporary
release of excessive energy in a
synchronized form.
-epilepsyfoundation.org
Epilepsy is NOT…
A muscle twitch
A seizure caused
from a fever
A leg cramp
Secondary conditions
from illness or
disease.
Facts About Epilepsy
Also known as seizure disorder
About 3 million people in America affected
About 50 million people world wide
Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland) was
affected
Epilepsy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRZY2a2jnuw
The video shows a person going through a
Tonic-clonic (Grand Mal Seizure)
seizure. It is the most dramatic type of
seizure.
Categories of seizures
Simple
Partial - don't result in loss
of consciousness
Complex Partial staring and non-purposeful
movements — such as hand
rubbing, twitching, chewing,
swallowing or walking in circles.
Generalized 4 types
petit mal (Thymus and
Cortex) -staring and subtle body
movement, and can cause a brief
loss of consciousness
myoclonic
- sudden jerks or
twitches
atonic - suddenly collapse or
fall down
tonic-clonic - loss of
consciousness, body stiffening and
shaking, and loss of bladder control
EEG used as a confirmation tool
What Causes Epilepsy?
Head Trauma- that penetrates the brain about 50%
chance developing Epilepsy.
Illness-Heart Attack, Stroke, Meningitis, AIDS
Genetics …. On going quest!
Prenatal Injury-Infection, Poor Nutrition, Oxygen
Deficiencies
Developmental Disorders- Autism, Down Syndrome
Unknown- accounts for 50%
Neuron anatomy and physiology
Review
Neurological Cause
(Different Kinds)
Mutation in ion
channels (K+, Na+,
Ca++ and Cl-)
Mutation in GABA,
Glutamate receptor
Treatments
Medications 60 – 75% managed.
Blockers of repetitive activation of the
sodium channel
Enhancer of slow inactivation of the
sodium channel
GABA receptor enhancers
Glutamate modulators
Calcium channel blockers
Current modulators
Neuronal potassium channel (KCNQ [Kv7])
opener
Treatments
Food – Ketogentic Diet (low carbs and
protein high Fat)
Vagel Nerve Stimulation
Surgeries 25% - must be focal and located
in a nonessential part of the brain i.e.
Right side of Temporal Lobe.
Living with Epilepsy
Normal Safety concerns
Uncertainty
Learning and memory storage and
retrieval
Dr. Rothman received 2 calls during our
hour conversation…
Controversies
Medical Marijuana
Dogs
Surgeries
Research
Across disciplines: Physiology, Chemical,
Neurology, Physics
Example: Caged GABA
During a seizure: LED lights that break
bonds on “caged GABA” releasing GABA
A device to predict a seizure
GABA
GABA
GABA
Credits
 Dr. Steven Rothman, Professor of Pediatrics University
of Minnesota and Director of the Division of Clinical
Neuroscience Pediatrics
 Massachusetts General Website:
http://www2.massgeneral.org/childhoodepilepsy/child/ind
ex.htm#learning
 www. epilepseyfoundation.org
 http://new.epilepsyfoundation.org/africanamerican
 http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo125916/Epilepsy?q=epilepsy+symptoms#symptoms
 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1184846treatment#aw2aab6b6b8