North South University

EpilepsySubmitted By:

Spring 2014

Muntasir Mamun Chowdhury    1010471030 BIO 103

Md Salah Uddin 1020210030 Section: 7

Munasif Hassan 1010235030 Group 5

Nayem Uddin Khan 1130892020

Submitted To:

Dr. S. M. Mostafa Kamal Khan (SKK)

Associate Professor

Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology,

Date of Submission: March 30, 2014

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Introduction

Epilepsy:

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) in which the nerve cell

activity in brain is disturbed, causing of seizure during which we experience abnormal behavior,

symptoms and sensations, including loss of consciousness. The International League Against

Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy—define epilepsy in their 2005 joint statement

as "a disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic

seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this

condition.

Background:

In most cases the cause is unknown, although some people develop epilepsy as the result of brain

injury, stroke, brain cancer, and drug and alcohol misuse, among others. Epileptic seizures are

the result of excessive and abnormal cortical nerve cell activity in the brain. Epilepsy can often

be confirmed with an electroencephalogram. Epilepsy cannot be cured, but seizures are

controllable with medication in about 70% of cases. Not all cases of epilepsy are lifelong, and a

substantial number of people improve to the point that medication is no longer needed.

History:

The world's oldest description of an epileptic seizure comes from a text in Akkadian (a language

used in ancient Mesopotamia) and was written around 2000 BCE. The oldest known detailed

record of the disorder itself is in the Sakikkū, a Babylonian cuneiform medical text from 1067–

1046 BCE. Around 900 BCE, Punarvasu Ātreya described epilepsy as loss of consciousness; this

definition was carried forward into the Ayurvedic text of Charaka Samhita (about 400 BCE). The

ancient Greeks had contradictory views of the disease. They thought of epilepsy as a form of

spiritual possession, but also associated the condition with genius and the divine.

Instead of referring to it as the sacred disease, he used the term great disease, giving rise to the

modern term grand mal, used for generalized seizures.

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Signs and symptoms

Epilepsy is a group of related disorders characterized by a tendency for recurrent seizures. There

are different types of epilepsy and seizures. Epilepsy drugs are prescribed to control seizures, and

rarely surgery is necessary if medications are ineffective. While many types of repetitive

behavior may represent a neurological problem, a doctor needs to establish whether or not they

are seizures.

Generalized seizures: All areas of the brain are involved in a generalized seizure.

Sometimes these are referred to as grand mal seizures.

The person experiencing such a seizure may cry out or make some sound, stiffen

for several seconds to a minute and then have rhythmic movements of the arms

and legs. Often the rhythmic movements slow before stopping.

Eyes are generally open.

The person may appear to not  be breathing and actually turn blue. This may be

followed by a period of deep, noisy breathes.

The return to consciousness is gradual and  the person may be confused for quite

some time –minutes to hours.

Loss of urine is common.

The person will frequently be confused after a generalized seizure.

Partial or focal seizures: Only part of the brain is involved, so only part of the body is

affected.

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Figure: a seizure attacked person

Seizure attacked person

If the part of the brain controlling movement of the hand is involved, then only

the hand may show rhythmic or jerky movements.

If other areas of the brain are involved, symptoms might include strange

sensations like a full feeling in the stomach or small repetitive movements such as

picking at one's clothes or smacking of the lips.

Sometimes the person with a partial seizure appears dazed or confused. This may

represent a complex partial seizure. The term complex is used by doctors to

describe a person who is between being fully alert and unconscious.

Absence or petit mal seizures: These are most common in childhood.

Impairment of consciousness is present with the person often staring blankly.

Repetitive blinking or other small movements may be present.

Typically, these seizures are brief, lasting only seconds. Some people may have

many of these in a day

Causes of seizures

The underlying cause of epilepsy may be identified as genetic or as due to structural or metabolic

problems, but in 60% of cases the cause is unknown

Genetics: Genetics is believed to be involved in the majority of cases, either directly or

indirectly.

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Figure: Someone who has bitten the tip of their tongue while having a seizure

Tongue

Bitten tip of tongue

Secondary: Epilepsy may occur as a result of a number of other conditions including: tumors,

strokes, head trauma, previous infections of the central nervous system, genetic abnormalities,

and as a result of brain damage around the time of birth.

People’s prejudice about Epilepsy and reality

Following are six common myths that still linger on, and that the Epilepsy Association of the

Eastern Shore wants to erase forever:

Epilepsy is contagious

The reality is, it is not contagious.

You can swallow your tongue during a seizure

It's physically impossible to swallow your tongue. In fact, you should never force something into

the mouth of someone having a seizure.

People with epilepsy are disabled and can't work

People with the condition have the same range of abilities and intelligence as the rest of us. Some

have severed seizures and cannot work; others are successful and productive in challenging

careers.

People with epilepsy look different

Unless someone with epilepsy is actually having a seizure there is no way that his or her

condition can be detected.

Epilepsy is a form of mental illness

Epilepsy is an umbrella term covering about twenty different types of seizure disorders. It is a

functional, physical problem, not a mental one.

With today's medication, epilepsy is largely a solved problem

Epilepsy is a chronic medical problem that for many people can be successfully treated.

Unfortunately, treatment doesn't work for everyone and there's a critical need for more research.

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Remedy and applications

In many cases epilepsy are not preventable, efforts to reduce head injuries, provide good care

around the time of birth, and reduce environmental parasites such as the pork tapeworm may be

effective. Epilepsy is usually treated with daily medication once a second seizure has occurred.

In some cases, a special diet, the implantation of a neurostimulator, or neurosurgery may be

required. Neurostimulation may be another option in those who are not candidates for surgery.

Epilepsy surgery may be an option for people with focal seizures that remain a problem despite

other treatments. These other treatments include at least a trial of two or three medications. The

goal of surgery is total control of seizures and this may be achieved in 60–70% of cases

Conclusion

Epilepsy is a group of long-term neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures,

seizures tend to recur, and have no immediate underlying cause are not deemed to represent

epilepsy while seizures occurred. Epilepsy cannot be cured, but medication, provide good care

around the time of birth, and reduce environmental parasites and can control seizures effectively

in about 70% of cases.

References

Magiorkinis E, Kalliopi S, Diamantis A (January 2010). "Hallmarks in the history of epilepsy:

epilepsy in antiquity". Epilepsy & behavior : E&B 17 (1): 103–108.

Chang BS, Lowenstein DH (2003). "Epilepsy". N. Engl. J. Med. 349 (13): 1257–66.

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"Epilepsy". Fact Sheets. World Health Organization. October 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.

.

Brodie, MJ; Elder, AT, Kwan, P (November 2009). "Epilepsy in later life". Lancet neurology 8

(11): 1019–30.

Berg, AT (2008). "Risk of recurrence after a first unprovoked seizure". Epilepsia. 49 Suppl 1:

13–8.

Duncan, JS; Sander, JW, Sisodiya, SM, Walker, MC (1 April 2006). "Adult epilepsy.". Lancet

367 (9516): 1087–100.

Perucca, P; Gilliam, FG (September 2012). "Adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs.". Lancet

neurology 11 (9): 792–802.

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