Term
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Definition
| transient disturbance of cerebral function caused by episodes of excessive and synchronous neuronal discharge within a network of neurons, which results from changes in excitatory or inhibitory receptors and imbalance between excitation and inhibition |
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Term
| causes of neuronal overexcitation |
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Definition
1. increased action of excitatory neurotransmitters (glutamate and aspartate)
2. excessive depolarization currents induced in the ion channels of the neuronal membrane |
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Term
| causes of neuronal disinhibition |
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Definition
1. defective hyperpolarizing currents (Cl- influx and/or K outflow)
2. decreased influence of inhibitory neurotransmitter (GABA) |
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Term
| metabolic causes of seizure |
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Definition
1. hyponatremia
2. hypoglycemia
3. hyperosmolar states
4. hypoxia
5. hypocalcemia
6. hypomagnesia
7. renal or liver dysfunction |
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Term
| drug withdrawals that cause seizures |
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Definition
1. alcohol withdrawal: 6-48 hrs after cessation
2. sedative withdrawal (barbiturates and benzodiazapines) |
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Term
| drugs that cause seizures |
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Definition
isoniazid
antidepressants
antipsychotics
local anesthetics (caines)
penicillin
aminophylline
sympathomimetics
narcotic analgesics
phencyclidine
antihistamines
cyclosporin |
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Term
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Definition
| recurrent, unprovoked seizures that may be a primary condition or secondary to an underlying pathology such as stroke or tumor |
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Term
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Definition
*begin locally
elementary symptomatology: without impairment of consciousness, can have motor, somatosensory, autonomic, or psychic symptoms, special sensory hallucinations
complex symptomatology: impairment of consciousness, temporal lobe or psychomotor seizures |
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Term
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Definition
| bilaterally symmetrical without local onset |
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Term
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Definition
| sudden attack - refers to seizure |
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Term
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Definition
1. period immediately following seizure
2. patient is sleepy and confused
3. usually lasts 5-15mins, can last hours
4. transietn focal deficits
5. EEG may show focal or generalized slowing |
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Term
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Definition
| occurs before simple partial seizure; may serve as a warning of impending complex partial or secondarily generalized seizure |
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Term
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Definition
| coordinated repetitive, stereotyped, purposeless movements - may be simple or complex |
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Term
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Definition
1. brief (5-10 secs) episodes of loss of consciousness without loss of postural tone
2. unresponsive, blank, cessation of ongoing activity
3. no post-ictal period
4. genetically transmitted
5. childhood to age 20
6. high seizure frequency
7. can be precipitated by hyperventilation and be associated with blinking
8. 50% have generalized tonic-clonic seizures |
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Term
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Definition
1. loss of consciousness
2. tonic contraction of muscles producing extension of extremities and arching of body
3. followed by clonic activity with symmetrical rhythmic synchronous jerking of limbs
4. tonic contraction of respiration muscles: loud cry, cyanosis
5. contraction of masticatory muscles: tongue biting
6. 30 secs-2mins |
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Term
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Definition
| continuous seizure activity for more than 30 mins or 2 or more sequential seizures without full recovery of consciousness |
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