Neurology Notes

Epilepsy / Seizures

Abnormal brain electrical activity causing recurring unprovoked seizures

Symptoms: Convulsions, staring spells, muscle jerking, loss of awareness, confusion

Medications: Keppra (levertiracetam), topamax (topiramate), gabapentin, lamictal (lamotrigine), depakote (valproic acid), carbamazepine, briviact, xcopri, vimpat (lacosamide), nayzilam (midazolam spray), lorazepam, clonazepam

Migraine

Recurrent, often one sided throbbing headaches

Symptoms: throbbing pain, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, aura

Medication: As needed Subamtriptan, ubrelvy (ubrogepant), nurtec (rimegepant), zavzpret (zavegepant), fioricet

Prevention: Qulipta (atogepant), ajovy, emgality, topamax, depakote

Alzhemier’s Disease

Progressive brain disease causing memory loss and cognitive decline

Symptoms: memory loss, confusion, language/problem-solving difficulty, personality changes, getting lost

Medication: donepezil, memantine

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Autoimmune attack on the nerve coating (myelin)

Symptoms: fatigue, numbness/tingling, vision problems, weakness, balance issues, bladder problems

Medication: Kesimpta (ofatumumab)

Narcolepsy / Cataplexy / EDS

Excessive daytime sleepiness and/or sudden muscle loss from emotion

Symptoms: Overwhelming sleepiness, sleep attacks, sleep paralysis, cataplexy

Medication: Wakix (pitolisant), lumryz (sodium oxybate), sonosi (solriamfetol)

Parkinson’s Disease

Movement disorder from dopamine cell loss

Symptoms: resting tremor, stiffness, slowed movement, shuffling gait, poor balance

Medication: Cabidopa-Levodopa

Sleep Apnea

Repeated breathing pauses during sleep

Symptoms: loud snoring, gasping/choking, daytime fatigue, morning headaches

Devices: CPAP/BiPap

CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure)—machine that delivers steady air pressure through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep

BiPap—delivers two pressure levels (higher on inhale, lower on exhale. Used when CPAP isn’t tolerated or for certain central apnea cases

Weight loss / positional therapy—common non-device recommendation that is often used alongside CPAP

Other Meds

Meloxicam (Pain) and Adderall (Narcolepsy and ADHD)