Epilepsy Disease Management and Pathophysiology

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms related to epilepsy, its pathophysiology, types of seizures, symptoms, and treatment options.

Pathophysiology

The study of how disease processes affect the function of the body.

Epilepsy

A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Seizure

A sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts.

Normal Brain Activity

The balance of excitatory glutamate and inhibitory GABA neurotransmission.

Focal Seizures

Seizures that occur in a specific area of the brain, where the person may be aware or have impaired awareness.

Tonic-Clonic Seizures

A type of seizure characterized by stiffening of the body and shaking or jerking movements.

Myoclonic Seizures

Seizures involving short, sudden jerks of muscles.

Absence Seizures

Seizures that cause brief lapses in awareness, often accompanied by rapid blinking.

SUDEP

Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy, referring to seizure-induced death while asleep.

Aura

A warning sign or sensation that a seizure may be imminent, such as mood changes or unusual sensations.

Hyper-synchronous Activation

When large groups of neurons activate simultaneously, disrupting normal brain function.

Interictal

The time period between seizures when a person does not experience seizure activity.

Neural Circuits

Networks of interconnected neurons that process information in the nervous system.

Carbamazepine

A medication commonly used to treat epilepsy, particularly for focal seizures.

Sodium Valproate

An anticonvulsant medication used for various types of seizures, including tonic-clonic and absence seizures.