Neurology
Summary
Seizures are a cortical (gray matter) abnormality and result from abnormally excessive or synchronous neuronal activity. Seizures are classified into unprovoked and provoked seizures. An unprovoked seizure does not have a clear, immediate etiology, but may be related to old insults like neurodegenerative disease, old strokes, or prior trauma. A provoked (or reactive) seizure results from a recent brain insult that lowers the seizure threshold.
The types of brain insults that can lead to a provoked seizure are wide-ranging and can include traumatic brain injury, metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities, including hypoglycemia, hyponatremia and uremia, acute stroke, cortical lesions, eclampsia, antipsychotics (particularly clozapine), antidepressants, narcotics and drugs of abuse including meth, PCP, and cocaine as well as alcohol withdrawal, infection, neurosurgery, and hypoxemia.
Lastly, seizure mimics include movement disorders, compulsive behaviors, convulsive syncope, and sleep disorders.
Lesson Outline
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FAQs
A seizure can be defined as abnormally excessive or synchronous activity in the neurons of the brain. This activity is often derived from cortical (gray matter) abnormalities and can be manifested in numerous ways, depending on which area of the brain the activity originates from.
An unprovoked seizure does not have a clear, immediate cause, and could be the result of an old insult that has affected the brain. On the other hand, a provoked (reactive) seizure results from a recent brain insult that has lowered the seizure threshold, such as trauma, infection, or drug abuse.
Acute seizures can be triggered by a variety of factors, including acute traumatic brain injuries, stroke, cortical lesions like tumors or vascular malformations, metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities (for example, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, uremia), psych medications like antipsychotics and antidepressants, narcotics and narcotic overdose, alcohol withdrawal, infections, conditions like eclampsia, and more.
Yes, certain medications, particularly psych medications like antipsychotics and antidepressants, can lead to acute seizures. One contributing factor could be the interaction these medications have with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain.
Seizure mimics can often resemble seizures, and examples include certain movement disorders, compulsive behaviors, convulsive syncope, and sleep disorders.
