Seizures: abnormal electrical signals are being rapidly fired for neurons in the
brain (generalized or focal)
Causes: high fever, illness (especially central nervous system types like bacterial
meningitis), hypoglycemia, acid-base imbalances like acidosis, alcohol
withdrawal, brain tumor etc.
Epilepsy: Frequent seizures due to a chronic condition of some type like
congenital brain defect, stroke, traumatic brain injury, long-lasting effects of an
infection etc.
Simplified Pathophysiology of Seizures
Excitatory and inhibitory neurons → handle/transmit info
Excitatory → produce “an action” (excite) by releasing glutamate
Inhibitory → “stop an action” (inhibit) by releasing GABA.
***For seizure activity not to occur in a healthy brain, there needs to be a proper
balance between these two types of neurons. If there is an imbalance of excitatory
neurons vs. inhibitory neurons, seizures will occur. For example, if there is not enough
GABA (remember this is the inhibitory neurotransmitter) being released, too much
excitation will occur leading to seizure activity.
**Barbiturates stimulate GABA receptors which help control excitation and
decreases seizure activity**
Types of Seizures
**remember these types for exams, especially their characteristics, expected
duration, post ictus phase etc.
Generalized: seizure is affecting both parts of the brain
● Tonic-clonic (formerly called grand -mal): most common type of
generalized seizure
● May experience AURA (warning a seizure is about to happen)
● Loses consciousness (at risk for injury)
● Will experience a tonic phase: body stiffens (may
bite inside of the cheek or tongue….may see
blood leaving mouth with foaming of saliva),
breathing stops followed by cyanosis)
brain (generalized or focal)
Causes: high fever, illness (especially central nervous system types like bacterial
meningitis), hypoglycemia, acid-base imbalances like acidosis, alcohol
withdrawal, brain tumor etc.
Epilepsy: Frequent seizures due to a chronic condition of some type like
congenital brain defect, stroke, traumatic brain injury, long-lasting effects of an
infection etc.
Simplified Pathophysiology of Seizures
Excitatory and inhibitory neurons → handle/transmit info
Excitatory → produce “an action” (excite) by releasing glutamate
Inhibitory → “stop an action” (inhibit) by releasing GABA.
***For seizure activity not to occur in a healthy brain, there needs to be a proper
balance between these two types of neurons. If there is an imbalance of excitatory
neurons vs. inhibitory neurons, seizures will occur. For example, if there is not enough
GABA (remember this is the inhibitory neurotransmitter) being released, too much
excitation will occur leading to seizure activity.
**Barbiturates stimulate GABA receptors which help control excitation and
decreases seizure activity**
Types of Seizures
**remember these types for exams, especially their characteristics, expected
duration, post ictus phase etc.
Generalized: seizure is affecting both parts of the brain
● Tonic-clonic (formerly called grand -mal): most common type of
generalized seizure
● May experience AURA (warning a seizure is about to happen)
● Loses consciousness (at risk for injury)
● Will experience a tonic phase: body stiffens (may
bite inside of the cheek or tongue….may see
blood leaving mouth with foaming of saliva),
breathing stops followed by cyanosis)
