Background of Epilepsy
What are at least 2 forms of treatments?
What is anti-seizure medication, DBS, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Ketogenic Diet or Surgery
This type of seizure starts in one part of the brain.
What is a focal seizure
This type of abnormal brain activity was analyzed alongside seizures to understand their relationship over time.
What are interictal spikes
Damaging this body part during one's youth can lead to epilepsy
What is the head
Epilepsy is the this-numbered most common neurological disorder in the world, behind only migraine, stroke, and dementia.
What is 4th most common
This neurotransmitter, when released in excess, drives the increased firing of hyperexcitable neurons during a seizure
What is glutamate
This seizure type involves stiffening (tonic) followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic)
What is a tonic-clonic seizure
The researchers found that both seizures and spikes followed this 24-hour biological rhythm
What is a circadian rhythm
A lack of this during birth can lead to epilepsy
What is oxygen
This famous artist, known for painting "The Starry Night," is believed to have had epilepsy which may have influenced his swirling, intense visual style.
Who is Vincent van Gogh
In epilepsy, neurons fire too often because they become this (a word meaning overly reactive or excitable).
What is hyperexcitable
This type of seizure causes a brief loss of awareness and staring, often mistaken for daydreaming, and is common in children
What is an absence seizure
The study used long-term recordings from implanted devices to analyze this type of brain signal.
What is EEG
Having one of these during later life can lead to epilepsy
What is a stroke or heart attack
Purple is the internationally recognized color for epilepsy awareness, and this annual day in November is dedicated to raising that awareness
What is Purple Day
Although seizures appear to happen without warning, they actually follow these biological timing patterns tied to the 24-hour day
What are circadian rhythms
The most obvious symptom of an absence seizure is this?
What is staring into space (or blank staring)
In 9 out of 15 patients, spike rate significantly changed during this time period before a seizure.
What is the pre-ictal period
Having one of these on or in your head can cause epilepsy.
What is an infection
Studies show that people with epilepsy are significantly more likely to experience this mental health condition alongside their epilepsy
What is depression (or anxiety)
Despite being detected on EEG, interictal spikes do not always lead to this, which is why the relationship between them is still debated.
What is a seizure
After a tonic-clonic seizure ends, the person enters this phase where they feel exhausted, confused, and disoriented
What is the postictal phase
To avoid falsely detecting spikes during seizure activity, researchers excluded this period from spike detection analysis
What is the ictal period
It is possible to get epilepsy without physical damage by one's version of this
What is genetics
This percentage of people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with the right medication, showing that treatment works for most people.
What is about 70%