Epilepsy electroencephalogram

Calcium channels have been shown to play a role in epilepsy as well [23]. Currently used antiepileptic drugs exhibit a wide spectrum of activity, including modulation of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. T-type calcium channels have been demonstrated to play an important role in absence epilepsy, a specific form of epilepsy characterized by brief lapses in consciousness correlated with spike-and-wave discharges in the electroencephalogram [14,24-28]. Ethosuximide 1 has been shown to block T-type calcium channels and is used clinically to treat absence epilepsy [25]. Several selective small-molecule T-type calcium channel antagonists have demonstrated efficacy in rodent epilepsy models (vide infra). 

Epilepsy implies a periodic recurrence of seizures with or without convulsions. A seizure results from an excessive discharge of cortical neurons and is characterized by changes in electrical activity as measured by the electroencephalogram (EEG). A convulsion implies violent, involuntary contraction(s) of the voluntary muscles. 

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease of diverse etiology it is characterized by recurrent paroxysmal episodes of uncontrolled excitation of brain neurons. Involving larger or smaller parts of the brain, the electrical discharge is evident in the electroencephalogram (EEG) as synchronized rhythmic activity and manifests itself in motor, sensory, psychic, and vegetative (visceral) phenomena Because both the affected brain region and the cause of abnormal excitability may differ, epileptic seizures can take many forms. Erom a pharmaco-therapeutic viewpoint, these may be classified as ... 

The term "epilepsy" applies to a group of disorders that are characterized by sudden and transient episodes (seizures) of motor (convulsions), sensory, autonomous or psychic origin. The seizures are usually correlated with abnormal and excessive discharges in the brain and can be visualized on the electroencephalogram (EEG). 

Q4 An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a recording of electrical activity arising from the cortical surface of the brain. It is recorded from scalp electrodes on 16 channels simultaneously. The technique is non-invasive and is not painful. The main uses of electroencephalography are to investigate sleep and its disorders and to diagnose epilepsy. The wave/spike patterns produced can be analysed to reveal alterations in or to localize areas of the specific electrical activity associated with seizures. The EEG can also be used medico-legally to determine whether a person is actually brain dead . 

After an increase in tiagabine dose to 32 mg/day, a 28-year-old woman with partial epilepsy developed a prolonged and disoriented state associated with generalized spike-and-wave discharges on the electroencephalogram. Tiagabine was withdrawn and the status did not recur. 

Three hospitalized schizophrenics who had failed to respond adequately to standard drug therapy were administered evening primrose oil (8 g daily in one patient, no dose stated for the other two patients). The condition of the patients worsened and electroencephalogram (EEC) features of temporal lobe epilepsy became apparent. The patients had taken or were taking phenothiazine (Vaddadi 1981), an antipsychotic medication that can lower seizure thresholds and may induce a discharge pattern in EEC (Tobias et al. 2006). 

In the 1950s Cooke [135] and Dow [136] described their work in rats and primates showing that stimulation of the cerebellum had effects on the electroencephalogram and the frequency of seizures. On this basis, in 1973 Cooper and colleagues reported the use of chronic cerebellar stimulation in patients with epilepsy. They also reported benehts for spasticity [119]. Unfortunately, several subsequent clinical series were unable to replicate Cooper s results with epilepsy [137]. Also in the 1970s, Chkhenkeli reported preliminary results of stimulating the caudate nucleus for epilepsy (followed in 1997 by a larger series) (Chkhenkeli and Chkhenkeli, 1997). 

Goldberg-Stern H, Feldman L, EicUitz-Markus T, Kramer U, Perez S, PoUak L, et al. Levetiracetam in children, adolescents and young adults with intractable epilepsy efficacy, tolerability and effect on electroencephalogram-a pilot study. Eur J Paediatr Neurol May 2013 17(3) 248-53. 

---