Epilepsy: basic principles and consequences
Katrien Jansen
Pediatric Neurology
UZ Leuven
,Epilepsy definition ILAE
• An epileptic seizure is a transient occurrence of signs/or
symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous
neuronal activity in the brain.
• Epilepsy is 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.
,Electrical signals
• Neurons
• Electrical signals
• Action potentials
, Neurotransmittors
Excitation: GLUTAMATE Inhibition:
GABA
Neurotransmittors: further transmission of
channels