seizures-epilepsy.ppt

Seizures & Epilepsy
Molly Tonder, Michelle Gonzaga, & Brittany Miller
Seizures
I. A sudden, explosive, disorderly discharge of cerebral neurons
A. Alteration in brain function
1. Sudden or transient
2. Involves motor, sensory, autonomic, or psychic manifestations
3. Temporarily alters systemic arousal
4. Often manifests as convulsions but there are many different kinds of seizures
B. Brief disruption in the brain’s electrical functions
II. Seizures are a syndrome, not a specific disease
Epilepsy
A condition in which seizures occur without known, correctable cause(s), thus seizures occur and ur without treatment
The term epilepsy is all-passing and says nothing about the type of seizure, however the specific area of the brain affected may suggest the specific type of seizure
Prevalence of epilepsy is 5-10 per 1000 persons
Incidence of a seizure does not necessarily indicate epilepsy
May also manifests as strange sensations and/or emotions and/or behavior including convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness
Etiology
Seizures in general can be caused by any disorder that alters the neuronal environment, so anyone can theoretically experience a seizure
Onset of a seizure may indicate a previously existing, ongoing primary neurological disease
Etiologic factors in seizures generally include
Cerebral lesions
Biochemical disorders
Cerebral trauma
Epilepsy
In short, anything from illness to brain
damage to abnormal brain development
Etiology, cont’Epilepsy can result from numerous conditions depending on the age of the person experiencing the syndrome, including but not limited :
metabolic defects
congenital malformations
ic predisposition
perinatal injury
postnatal trauma
mycological syndromes
Infection
brain tumor
vascular disease
fever
drug or alcohol abuse
Pathogenesis
A. Result plex ic mutations and environmental factors can cause
1. Abnormal brain wiring AND/OR
2. Chemical (neurotransmitter) imbalances AND/OR
3. Abnormal connections