📚 Seizures & Epilepsy Treatments

Epilepsy

A chronic neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain

Seizure

A sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, or unusual behavior

Convulsions

Involuntary muscle contractions or jerking movements caused by seizure activity

Normal Neuron

fire consistent electrical signals.

Epileptic Neuron

fire abnormally and irregularly, causing seizures

Partial (focal) seizures

Seizures localized to one part of the brain; can be simple or complex

Simple Partial

Seizure Affects one region (no loss of consciousness)

Complex Partial

Seizure Affects larger area (impaired consciousness or awareness)

Generalized seizures

Seizures involving both hemispheres of the brain, leading to widespread symptoms like muscle convulsions and loss of consciousness

Tonic-clonic seizures (Grand mal)

Severe generalized seizures with stiffening (tonic) followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic) of muscles and loss of consciousness

Myoclonic Seizure

A brief, sudden muscle jerk or twitch involving one or more body parts, caused by generalized abnormal brain activity

Absence seizures (Petit mal)

Brief generalized seizures causing sudden loss of awareness or staring spells, mostly seen in children

Anticonvulsants

Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity of seizures by stabilizing neuronal membranes, regulating ion channels, or modulating neurotransmitters

Antiepileptics

Medications used to treat epilepsy by controlling seizures, often overlapping with anticonvulsants; work by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain

G: Gabapentin

Anticonvulsant : Used to treat partial seizures and neuropathic pain. Works by modulating calcium channels to reduce nerve excitability

B: Neurontin

G: Pregabalin

Anticonvulsant : Treats epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and generalized anxiety disorder by reducing nerve signal transmission through calcium channel modulation

B: Lyrica

G: Lamotrigine

Anticonvulsant : Treats epilepsy and bipolar disorder by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels and reducing glutamate release

B: Lamictal

G: Levetiracetam

Anticonvulsant : Controls various seizures by binding to synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, modulating neurotransmitter release

B: Keppra

G: Topiramate

Anticonvulsant : Used for seizures and migraine prevention by blocking sodium channels and enhancing GABA receptor activity

B: Topamax