488 neuro pharm Questions and Answers
define epilepsy
excessive electrical activity from neurons (nerve cells) located in the cerebral cortex or grey matter
define seizure
excessive stimulation of the neurons in the brain, leading to a brief episode of abnormal neuron
activity that results in temporary changes in brain function
primarily affecting sensory and motor activity
may lead to a convulsion.
define convulsion
common symptoms?
more severe seizure characterized by involuntary spasmodic contractions of any or all voluntary
muscles throughout the body, including skeletal, facial, and ocular muscles.
Commonly reported symptoms: abnormal motor function, loss of consciousness, altered sensory
awareness, and psychic changes.
define primary epilepsy
evidence of....
w/o identifiable cause
,evidence= genetic predispositions
define secondary epilepsy
epilepsy has a distinct cause, such as trauma, infection, cerebrovascular disorder, or other illness
common= developmental defects, metabolic disease, and injury at birth
Febrile seizures= 6 months to 5 years
Define status epilepticus
Seizure lasting more than 30 minutes or two seizures in a row without complete recovery in
between
physiological changes during convulsive status epileptics? (3)
b/c release of catecholamines
- tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, and hyperglycemia
what events follow status epilepticus?
treatment?
followed by:
,- hypotension
- elevated body temperature (b/c muscle activity)
- metabolic acidosis
- hypoxia
- brain damage, and possibly death
- true medical emergency
treatment= Initially, ABCs, intravenous administration of drugs
in adults, main cause of secondary epilepsy?
acquired brain disorder
- head injury, disease or infection of the brain and spinal cord, stroke, metabolic disorders, adverse
drug reactions
Generalized onset seizures:
what are they?
characterized by neuronal activity that originates simultaneously in the grey matter of both
hemispheres
tonic-clonic seizures:
what are they?
what happens?
, begin with muscular contraction throughout the body (tonic phase)
progress to alternating contraction and relaxation (clonic phase)
involve spasms of the upper trunk, with flexion of the arms.
how do clonic seizures differ from tonic-clonic?
Clonic seizures are the same as tonic-clonic seizures but without the tonic phase
atonic seizures involve....
sudden global muscle weakness and syncope.
myoclonic seizures:
what happens?
brief muscular jerks, but that are not as extreme as in other subtypes
what are absence seizures?
brief loss of awareness that commonly occurs with repetitive spasmodic eye blinking for up to 30
seconds
primarily in childhood and rarely after 14 years of age.
define epilepsy
excessive electrical activity from neurons (nerve cells) located in the cerebral cortex or grey matter
define seizure
excessive stimulation of the neurons in the brain, leading to a brief episode of abnormal neuron
activity that results in temporary changes in brain function
primarily affecting sensory and motor activity
may lead to a convulsion.
define convulsion
common symptoms?
more severe seizure characterized by involuntary spasmodic contractions of any or all voluntary
muscles throughout the body, including skeletal, facial, and ocular muscles.
Commonly reported symptoms: abnormal motor function, loss of consciousness, altered sensory
awareness, and psychic changes.
define primary epilepsy
evidence of....
w/o identifiable cause
,evidence= genetic predispositions
define secondary epilepsy
epilepsy has a distinct cause, such as trauma, infection, cerebrovascular disorder, or other illness
common= developmental defects, metabolic disease, and injury at birth
Febrile seizures= 6 months to 5 years
Define status epilepticus
Seizure lasting more than 30 minutes or two seizures in a row without complete recovery in
between
physiological changes during convulsive status epileptics? (3)
b/c release of catecholamines
- tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, and hyperglycemia
what events follow status epilepticus?
treatment?
followed by:
,- hypotension
- elevated body temperature (b/c muscle activity)
- metabolic acidosis
- hypoxia
- brain damage, and possibly death
- true medical emergency
treatment= Initially, ABCs, intravenous administration of drugs
in adults, main cause of secondary epilepsy?
acquired brain disorder
- head injury, disease or infection of the brain and spinal cord, stroke, metabolic disorders, adverse
drug reactions
Generalized onset seizures:
what are they?
characterized by neuronal activity that originates simultaneously in the grey matter of both
hemispheres
tonic-clonic seizures:
what are they?
what happens?
, begin with muscular contraction throughout the body (tonic phase)
progress to alternating contraction and relaxation (clonic phase)
involve spasms of the upper trunk, with flexion of the arms.
how do clonic seizures differ from tonic-clonic?
Clonic seizures are the same as tonic-clonic seizures but without the tonic phase
atonic seizures involve....
sudden global muscle weakness and syncope.
myoclonic seizures:
what happens?
brief muscular jerks, but that are not as extreme as in other subtypes
what are absence seizures?
brief loss of awareness that commonly occurs with repetitive spasmodic eye blinking for up to 30
seconds
primarily in childhood and rarely after 14 years of age.
