Definitions and Classification of Epilepsy

Dodson, W. E.

doi:10.1002/9780470752463.ch1

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 168 publications

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“…Epilepsy is a common long-term neurological condition associated with abnormal brain function and seizures [ 1 ]. There are approximately 38 different types of seizures and 30 epilepsy syndromes [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and information needs of young people with epilepsy and their parents: Mixed-method systematic review

2010

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BackgroundYoung people with neurological impairments such as epilepsy are known to receive less adequate services compared to young people with other long-term conditions. The time (age 13-19 years) around transition to adult services is particularly important in facilitating young people's self-care and ongoing management. There are epilepsy specific, biological and psycho-social factors that act as barriers and enablers to information exchange and nurturing of self-care practices. Review objectives were to identify what is known to be effective in delivering information to young people age 13-19 years with epilepsy and their parents, to describe their experiences of information exchange in healthcare contexts, and to identify factors influencing positive and negative healthcare communication.MethodsThe Evidence for Policy and Practice Information Coordinating Centre systematic mixed-method approach was adapted to locate, appraise, extract and synthesise evidence. We used Ley's cognitive hypothetical model of communication and subsequently developed a theoretical framework explaining information exchange in healthcare contexts.ResultsYoung people and parents believed that healthcare professionals were only interested in medical management. Young people felt that discussions about their epilepsy primarily occurred between professionals and parents. Epilepsy information that young people obtained from parents or from their own efforts increased the risk of epilepsy misconceptions. Accurate epilepsy knowledge aided psychosocial adjustment. There is some evidence that interventions, when delivered in a structured psycho-educational, age appropriate way, increased young people's epilepsy knowledge, with positive trend to improving quality of life. We used mainly qualitative and mixed-method evidence to develop a theoretical framework explaining information exchange in clinical encounters.ConclusionsThere is a paucity of evidence reporting effective interventions, and the most effective ways of delivering information/education in healthcare contexts. No studies indicated if improvement was sustained over time and whether increased knowledge was effective in improving in self-care. Current models of facilitating information exchange and self-care around transition are not working well. There is an urgent need for further studies to develop and evaluate interventions to facilitate successful information exchange, and follow young people over time to see if interventions showing early promise are effective in the medium to long-term.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and information needs of young people with epilepsy and their parents: Mixed-method systematic review

2010

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“…Phenobarbital and valproate have successfully prevented recurrent febrile seizures [202 -205], phenobarbital prevented seizures with cerebral malaria [206], lorazepam prevented alcohol-related seizures [207], and phenytoin and carbamazepine prevented seizures early after TBI and cranial surgery [208 -210]. However, these findings on provoked acute-symptomatic seizures do not give any evidence for antiepileptogenic effects, as epilepsy is defined by the occurrence of unprovoked seizures [211]. These substances were administered when the risk of provoked epileptic seizures was high; thus seizures were simply suppressed rather than prevented due to pharmacological modification of an underlying epileptogenic process.…”

Section: Antiepileptogenic Pharmacostrategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A diagnosis of epilepsy is made if a patient suffers from recurrent and unprovoked epileptic seizures [211]. The classification of seizures is based on clinical and EEG features, whereas brain pathology, age, and aetiology are not considered [219].…”

Section: Established Epilepsymentioning

confidence: 99%

Anticonvulsant, antiepileptogenic, and antiictogenic pharmacostrategies

Holtkamp

Meierkord

2007

Cell. Mol. Life Sci.

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Pharmacological concepts tailored to status epilepticus, to epileptogenesis following acquired brain insults, and to ictogenesis in established epilepsy vary considerably and should ideally be directed at those pathophysiological mechanisms that presumably underly these conditions. Currently known important molecular targets include voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system and ionotropic glutamate receptors. Metabotropic glutamate receptors, potassium channels, and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, glycine, and monoamines are beyond the scope of this review. In status epilepticus, immediate failure of GABAergic inhibition occurs, and administration of benzodiazepines and barbiturates displays the pharmacostrategic mainstay. In epileptogenesis within limbic structures, the most important underlying pathophysiological mechanisms currently discussed are transient loss of inhibition and aberrant mossy fiber sprouting. Both processes may be facilitated by N-methy-D: -aspartat (NMDA) receptor regulation. NMDA antagonists may exhibit antiepileptogenic properties in experimental animals, but reliable data in humans are lacking. In established epilepsy, voltage-gated ion channels and impairment of GABAergic functions contribute to mechanisms facilitating ictogenesis. Blockade of sodium and calcium channels and enhancement of GABAergic inhibition are currently the most important tools to prevent the occurrence of seizures.

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Definitions and Classification of Epilepsy

Cited by 2 publications

References 168 publications

Knowledge and information needs of young people with epilepsy and their parents: Mixed-method systematic review

Knowledge and information needs of young people with epilepsy and their parents: Mixed-method systematic review

Anticonvulsant, antiepileptogenic, and antiictogenic pharmacostrategies

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