Causes of Epilepsy and Seizures

Causes of Epilepsy and SeizuresContents (Jump to)Introduction to EpilepsySeizuresCauses of EpilepsyConclusion rootsFiguresAppendixIntroduction to EpilepsyEpilepsy is the oldest known mentality disorder dating back as early as 2080BC (Cascino et al., 1995). It was first identified as a disease by Dr Jon Hughlings Jackson in 1880 who specify it as An occasional, sudden, massive, rapid and local discharge or the grey matter (Scott, 1978). This definition has been confirmed 50 years later by Electroencephalography. A much recent definition was devised stating Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the nerve cell natural action in your brain is disturbed, causing a seizure during which you ensure abnormal behaviour, symptoms and sensations, including loss of consciousness.(Scambler, 1989)Worldwide, it is estimated that there be 65 million people living with epilepsy with almost 80% of the cases reported slip awayring in the developing world (Ngugi et al., 2010). in spite of appearance the UK, the prevalence is between 1 in 40/70,000 which equates to 3% of the population will develop epilepsy in their aliveness.Recurrent seizures be the hallmark characteristic of an epileptic. If an case-by-case has one seizure early in their lives then none thereafter, they are said to have had an epileptic seizure but do not fall behind from epilepsy. (Dun tail end et al., 2006)SeizuresA seizure is abnormally excessive neuronal activity localised to a particular area of the brain known as the cerebral cerebral cortex causing a disruption to normal brain function. These cortical discharges will transmit to the muscles causing convulsions or commonly referred to as a fit.Figure 1 Generalised seizure with neuronal activation in both hemisphereClassifying seizures is done based on the site of the brain which the seizure begins. This will be either Partial where the onset of seizure is localised to one part of the hemisphere (fig. 1), Generalised where the onset o f the seizure is across both hemispheres (fig. 2) or junior-grade generalised where a partial seizure later spreads to involve the majority of the 2 cerebral hemispheres (Duncan et al., 2006). Figure 2 Partial seizure with neuronal activation in one hemisphereThe International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) have defined 6 main types of seizures Clonic, Tonic, Tonic-Clonic, myoclonic, absence and atonic (Solodar, 2014), with all having the shared characteristic of syncope.Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal seizures) are the most common and typically last 30 seconds with an initial back arching motion (tonic phase), followed by severe shaking of body limbs (clonic phase) in which sufferers can pass away incontinent and bit their tongue (fig. 3).Myoclonic seizures consist of muscle spasms throughout the body, while absence seizures only display mild symptoms much(prenominal) as a slight head turn or repetitive eye blinking (Engel and Pedley, 2008). Figure 3 Tonic and Clonic phases of a seizureCauses of EpilepsyMajority of cases are termed idiopathic, meaning there is no known reason for the disorder in that individual. The difference in causes amongst the general population can be seen in prefigure 4.Genetic factors can causes epilepsy as can environmental factors. In general it is a combination of the two which go on to cause someone to become epileptic. Over 500 genes have been identified to be linked to the disorder if mutated with some qualification individuals more sensitive to environmental conditions that can initiate seizures (Sanchez-Carpintero Abad et al., 2007). round symptomatic causes of epilepsy include brain tumours, strokes, low oxygen during birth, head injuries during birth or during a persons lifetime, infections such as meningitis or anything which causes slander to the brain (Chang and Lowenstein, 2003).Figure 4 Causes of epilepsy amongst the general populationConclusionEpilepsy is a condition which has a host of causes as have been h ighlighted. It is the category of seizure within the brain an individual has which will determine the type of seizure they have and the altered body state which is displayed. This can be a very sorry disorder for sufferers as they are unable to control when they have a seizure and could occur at a very dangerous time such as whilst driving. The effective management via medication, surgery or lifestyle changes can reduce a persons chance of suffering future seizures. regrettably in the majority of cases, the cause is unknown. This makes it highly difficult to target the disease for a cure, therefore minimising the probability of a seizure is the next best thing. prolongationsCASCINO, G., HOPKINS, A. O. SHORVON, S. D. 1995. Epilepsy, London, Chapman dorm Medical.CHANG, B. S. LOWENSTEIN, D. H. 2003. Epilepsy. N Engl J Med, 349, 1257-66.DUNCAN, J. S., SANDER, J. W., SISODIYA, S. M. WALKER, M. C. 2006. Adult epilepsy. Lancet, 367, 1087-100.ENGEL, J., junior PEDLEY, T. A. 2008. Epilepsy a comprehensive textbook, Philadelphia, Pa. London, Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams Wilkins.NGUGI, A. K., BOTTOMLEY, C., KLEINSCHMIDT, I., SANDER, J. W. NEWTON, C. R. 2010. Estimation of the burden of active and life-time epilepsy a meta-analytic approach. Epilepsia, 51, 883-890.SANCHEZ-CARPINTERO ABAD, R., SANMARTI VILAPLANA, F. X. SERRATOSA FERNANDEZ, J. M. 2007. Genetic causes of epilepsy. Neurologist, 13, S47-51.SCAMBLER, G. 1989. Epilepsy, London, Tavistock / Rout guidege.SCOTT, D. 1978. About epilepsy, London, Duckworth.SOLODAR, J. 2014. Commentary ILAE Definition of Epilepsy. Epilepsia, 55, 491.FiguresENGEL, J., JR. PEDLEY, T. A. 2008. Epilepsy a comprehensive textbook, Philadelphia, Pa. London, Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams Wilkins. figures 1 2http//www.doctortipster.com/10291-generalized-tonic-clonic-epilepsy-seizures-grand-mal-seizures-clinical-presentation.html figure 3http//www.cureepilepsy.org/egi/about.asp figure 4AppendixReference flake Book picture Number 1988 occasion Cascino, Gregory, Hopkins, Anthony October and Shorvon, S. D. division 1995 denomination EpilepsyPlace Published LondonPublisher Chapman Hall Medical stochastic variable second ed / edited by Anthony Hopkins, Simon Shorvon and Gregory Cascino.Short prenomen EpilepsyISBN 0412543303 95.00Accession Number b9561325Call Number 616.853 20British depository library DSC 95/22799British Library STI (B) GV 05 blsrisscKeywords Epilepsy.Notes GB9561325 bnb2362Previous ed. 1987.Includes bibliographies and index. inquiry Notes Useful book, especially for historical aspects. Uses different terminology for seizures than other material, possibly due to age of printReference Type Journal wordRecord Number 2037 indite Chang, B. S. and Lowenstein, D. H.Year 2003Title EpilepsyJournal N Engl J Med passel 349 unveil 13Pages 1257-66Epub Date 2003/09/26Date Sep 25Short Title Epilepsy set up Journal The New England journal of medicineISSN 0028-4793DOI 10.1056/NEJMra0223 08Accession Number 14507951Keywords Cerebral Cortex/pathology/physiopathologyElectroencephalographyEpilepsy/classification/ aetiology/pathology/*physiopathologyHippocampus/pathology earthIon Channels/physiopathologyglia/physiologySclerosisThalamus/physiopathologyNotes 1533-4406Chang, Bernard SLowenstein, Daniel HNS39950/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United StatesJournal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Govt, P.H.S.ReviewUnited StatesN Engl J Med. 2003 Sep 25349(13)1257-66.Research Notes substantially overview of the disorder with relevant sections around the causesAuthor Address Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.Database Provider NLMLanguage engReference Type Journal ArticleRecord Number 10337Author Duncan, J. S., Sander, J. W., Sisodiya, S. M. and Walker, M. C.Year 2006Title Adult epilepsyJournal LancetVolume 367Issue 9516Pages 1087-100Epub Date 2006/04/04Date Apr 1Short Title Adult epilepsyAlterna te Journal LancetISSN 0140-6736DOI 10.1016/s0140-6736(06)68477-8Accession Number 16581409Keywords AdultAgedAnticonvulsants/adverse effects/*therapeutic useDrug confrontation/*geneticsElectroencephalography*Epilepsy/diagnosis/drug therapy/physiopathologyHumansIncidenceInfantPharmacogeneticsAbstract The epilepsies are one of the most common serious brain disorders, can occur at all ages, and have many possible presentations and causes. Although incidence in childhood has fallen over the past three decades in developed countries, this decrement is matched by an increase in elderly people. Monogenic Mendelian epilepsies are rare. A clinical syndrome often has multiple possible genetic causes, and conversely, different mutations in one gene can lead to various epileptic syndromes. Most common epilepsies, however, are probably complex traits with environmental effects acting on inherited susceptibility, mediated by common variation in particular genes. Diagnosis of epilepsy remains clin ical, and neurophysiological investigations assist with diagnosis of the syndrome. Brain imaging is making great progress in identifying the structural and functional causes and consequences of the epilepsies. Current antiepileptic drugs suppress seizures without influencing the underlying tendency to generate seizures, and are effective in 60-70% of individuals. Pharmacogenetic studies wear the promise of being able to better individualise treatment for each patient, with maximum possibility of benefit and minimum risk of adverse effects. For people with scratchy focal epilepsy, neurosurgical resection offers the possibility of a life-changing cure. Potential new treatments include precise prediction of seizures and focal therapy with drug delivery, neural stimulation, and biological grafts.Notes 1474-547xDuncan, John SSander, Josemir WSisodiya, Sanjay MWalker, Matthew CJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. GovtReviewEnglandLancet. 2006 Apr 1367(9516)1087-100.Research Notes V ery good overview with clear explanation around neuronal activity of seizuresAuthor Address Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology UCL, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. emailprotectedDatabase Provider NLMLanguage engReference Type BookRecord Number 10529Author Engel, Jerome, Jr. and Pedley, Timothy A.Year 2008Title Epilepsy a comprehensive textbookPlace Published Philadelphia, Pa. LondonPublisher Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams WilkinsPages 2797Edition 2nd ed.Short Title Epilepsy a comprehensive textbookISBN 9780781757775 (set) 173.000781757770 (set) 173.00Call Number 616.853 22British Library DSC m07/.34665 vol. 1British Library STI (B) 616.853British Library DSC m07/.34666 vol. 3British Library DSC m07/.34664 vol. 2Keywords Epilepsy.Notes GBA771698 bnbeditors, Jerome Engel Jr., Timothy A. Pedley associate editors, Jean Aicardi et al..Previous ed. c1998.Includes bibliographical references and index.Formerly CIP. UkResearch Notes Had e verything covered in good detail.Reference Type Journal ArticleRecord Number 10335Author Ngugi, Anthony K., Bottomley, Christian, Kleinschmidt, Immo, Sander, Josemir W. and Newton, Charles R.Year 2010Title Estimation of the burden of active and life-time epilepsy a meta-analytic approachJournal EpilepsiaVolume 51Issue 5Pages 883-890Short Title Estimation of the burden of active and life-time epilepsy a meta-analytic approachISSN 0013-9580DOI 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02481.xAbstract To estimate the burden of lifetime epilepsy (LTE) and active epilepsy (AE) and examine the influence of study characteristics on prevalence estimates.Notes 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02481.xResearch Notes Only really useful for prevalence related materialURL http//dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02481.x give ear of Database READCUBEReference Type Journal ArticleRecord Number 11373Author Sanchez-Carpintero Abad, R., Sanmarti Vilaplana, F. X. and Serratosa Fernandez, J. M.Year 2007Title Genetic causes of epilepsyJournal NeurologistVolume 13Issue 6 Suppl 1Pages S47-51Date NovShort Title Genetic causes of epilepsyAlternate Journal The neurologistISSN 1074-7931 (Print)1074-7931 (Linking)DOI 10.1097/NRL.0b013e31815bb07dAccession Number 18090951Keywords AnimalsCerebral Cortex/physiopathologyEpilepsy/*etiology/*genetics/pathologyHumansIon Channel Gating/geneticsIon Channels/genetics/*physiologyAbstract BACKGROUND The contribution of genetic factors to the origin of different epilepsies is a fact ceremonious by epidemiological, clinical, and molecular studies. These studies have made it possible to identify numerous mutations in different genes that cause or predispose to the development of certain types of epilepsy. go over SUMMARY The study of single-gene epilepsies has contributed relevant data regarding the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Most of these genes encode voltage- or ligand-gated ion channels. Other single-gene epilepsies are related to mutations that provoke alterations in ne uronal maturation and migration during embryonal development. Nevertheless, the most common forms of epilepsy are not caused by single mutations but by a combination of polymorphisms, most of which are unknown, that generate an alteration in neuronal excitability. In some syndromes, genetic alterations and their consequences have made it possible to explain the therapeutic response to different drugs. Therefore, the progress being made in genetics is changing the classification and diagnosis of epilepsy moreover, it can sometimes influence the choice of treatment. CONCLUSION The advances made in genetic knowledge of epilepsy have led to the description of new epilepsy syndromes and to a better characterization of known ones. However, the genes responsible for the most common forms of idiopathic epilepsy remain mostly unknown. This means that for the time being, in clinical practice, genetic diagnosis is limited to uncommon syndromes and to cases in which treatment decisions or gene tic counseling can be derived from the diagnosis.Notes Sanchez-Carpintero Abad, RocioSanmarti Vilaplana, Francesc XSerratosa Fernandez, Jose MariaengResearch Support, Non-U.S. GovtReview2008/01/26 0900Neurologist. 2007 Nov13(6 Suppl 1)S47-51. doi 10.1097/NRL.0b013e31815bb07d.Research Notes Very complicated to read. Poorly illustrated.URL http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18090951Author Address Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Clinica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. emailprotectedReference Type BookRecord Number 2015Author Scambler, GrahamYear 1989Title EpilepsyPlace Published LondonPublisher Tavistock / RoutledgeShort Title EpilepsyISBN 0415017580 (pbk) No set0415017572 (cased) No priceAccession Number b8920431Call Number 362.1/96853 19British Library DSC 89/23194British Library HMNTS YK.1989.a.5440Keywords Epileptics Psychology.Notes GB8920431 bnb2054Graham Scambler.The Experience of infirmityBibliography p124-130. _ Includes index.Research Notes W ritten with the patient in mind but lacks specific scientific dataReference Type BookRecord Number 2011Author Scott, Donald F.Year 1978Title About Epilepsy revised EditionPlace Published S.l.Publisher DuckworthEdition 3rd Ed.Short Title About Epilepsy revised EditionISBN 0715609467Call Number British Library DSC 79/5721Research Notes Very well written with good scientific data to back up claims.Reference Type Journal ArticleRecord Number 10484Author Solodar, J.Year 2014Title Commentary ILAE Definition of EpilepsyJournal EpilepsiaVolume 55Issue 4Pages 491Date AprShort Title Commentary ILAE Definition of EpilepsyAlternate Journal EpilepsiaISSN 1528-1167 (Electronic)0013-9580 (Linking)DOI 10.1111/epi.12594Accession Number 24731170Keywords *Advisory CommitteesEpilepsy/*classification/*diagnosisFemaleHumansMale*Research Report*Societies, MedicalNotes Solodar, JessicaengComment2014/04/16 0600Epilepsia. 2014 Apr55(4)491. doi 10.1111/epi.12594. Epub 2014 Apr 14.URL http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pubmed/24731170Research Notes Good summary of definitions around seizures and all terminology within epilepsy1