Epilepsy

Research discovers link between epilepsy and autism

(Medical Xpress)—University of Bath researchers have found a previously undiscovered link between epileptic seizures and the signs of autism in adults.

Neuroscience created May 16, 2013 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

A new 'on' signal for inflammation

(Medical Xpress)—Inflammation is an important response in the body - it helps you to kill off invaders such bacteria that could cause a harmful infection. But if it's chronic or uncontrolled, inflammation can also cause ...

Inflammatory disorders created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Drug manufacturer agrees to $500 million penalty (Update)

A subsidiary of India's largest pharmaceutical company has agreed to pay a record $500 million in fines and penalties for selling adulterated drugs and lying to federal regulators in a case that is part of an ongoing crackdown ...

Medications created May 13, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers discover a missing link in signals contributing to neurodegeneration

In many neurodegenerative diseases the neurons of the brain are over-stimulated and this leads to their destruction. After many failed attempts and much scepticism this process was finally shown last year to be a possible ...

Neuroscience created May 09, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Enhanced motion perception in autism may point to an underlying cause of the disorder

Children with autism see simple movement twice as quickly as other children their age, and this hypersensitivity to motion may provide clues to a fundamental cause of the developmental disorder, according ...

Autism spectrum disorders created May 08, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Human brain cells developed in lab, grow in mice

A key type of human brain cell developed in the laboratory grows seamlessly when transplanted into the brains of mice, UC San Francisco researchers have discovered, raising hope that these cells might one day be used to treat ...

Medical research created May 08, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Staying on the meds: Involving young patients in the treatment for their chronic illnesses

Researchers at The University of Nottingham have examined why large numbers of children and young people sometimes don't take their medication, despite suffering from a range of chronic and potentially life-threatening ...

Health created May 08, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Geneticists find causes for severe childhood epilepsies

(Medical Xpress)—Using a state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technique, UA researchers have discovered genetic mutations underlying seizure disorders in previously undiagnosed children.

Neuroscience created May 07, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

FIU researchers develop new pathway to brain for medicine

Stumped for years by a natural filter in the body that allows few substances, including life-saving drugs, to enter the brain through the bloodstream, physicians who treat neurological diseases may soon have a new pathway ...

Medical research created May 06, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

FDA warns pregnant women about migraine drugs

(HealthDay)—Pregnant women who struggle with migraine headaches should never use medicines containing the ingredient valproate because they can lower the IQ scores of their children, the U.S. Food and Drug ...

Medications created May 06, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers cure epilepsy in mice using brain cells

UCSF scientists controlled seizures in epileptic mice with a one-time transplantation of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cells, which inhibit signaling in overactive nerve circuits, into the hippocampus, a brain region associated ...

Neuroscience created May 05, 2013 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (14) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Childhood disability rate jumps 16 percent over past decade

More children today have a disability than a decade ago, and the greatest increase is among kids in higher-income families, according to a study to be presented Sunday, May 5, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual ...

Pediatrics created May 05, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Managing menstrual problems of girls with disabilities presents medical dilemma

New research shows girls with learning and physical disabilities are more likely to suffer period problems compared to the general population.

Obstetrics & gynaecology created May 03, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Turning human stem cells into brain cells sheds light on neural development

Medical researchers have manipulated human stem cells into producing types of brain cells known to play important roles in neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism. The new model cell system ...

Medical research created May 02, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study uses Botox to find new wrinkle in brain communication

National Institutes of Health researchers used the popular anti-wrinkle agent Botox to discover a new and important role for a group of molecules that nerve cells use to quickly send messages. This novel ...

Medical research created May 02, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast


Epilepsy (from the Ancient Greek ἐπιληψία (epilēpsía) — "seizure") is a common and diverse set of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. Some definitions of epilepsy require that seizures be recurrent and unprovoked, but others require only a single seizure combined with brain alterations which increase the chance of future seizures.

Epileptic seizures result from abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly 90% of epilepsy occurs in developing countries. Epilepsy becomes more common as people age. Onset of new cases occur most frequently in infants and the elderly. As a consequence of brain surgery, epileptic seizures may occur in recovering patients.

Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication. However, over 30% of people with epilepsy do not have seizure control even with the best available medications. Surgery may be considered in difficult cases. Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong – some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood. Epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as syndromic with vastly divergent symptoms, all involving episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain and numerous seizures.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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