Seizure pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shakiba Hassanzadeh, MD[2]
Overview
Normally, seizures do not occur because the membrane stability of neurons is maintained, and the discharges that lead to seizures are prevented from transferring. In a normal brain, some circumstances can provoke seizures, such as: hyponatremia, drug withdrawal, and hypoglycemia. Abnormalities in different parts of the nervous system may cause seizure, such as: brain regions, cells, ions, networks, and receptors. The imbalance of excessive excitation and reduced inhibition that causes and keeps the seizure going on. Glutamate is the most common excitation neurotransmitter and affects by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. However, NMDA antagonist drugs have not been clinically successful. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most common inhibition neurotransmitter. GABA inhibits excess excitation of the neurons by activating the GABAA receptor. Increasing the inhibition of GABA (even if the inhibition is not damaged) may be helpful in a seizure, since it may overwhelm the excess excitation of the seizure. Examples of GABA-enhancing drugs are benzodiazepines, barbiturates, propofol, and some anesthetics. However, these drugs are not suitable for long term therapy since patients usually become tolerant to their effect.
Pathophysiology
Normally, seizures do not happen because the membrane stability of neurons is maintained, and the discharges that lead to seizures are prevented from transferring.[1]
In a normal brain, some circumstances can provoke seizures, such as:[1]
- Hyponatremia: by disrupting the electrochemical gradients across cell membranes and causing instability
- Drug withdrawal (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol): may sensitize inhibitory GABAA receptors and stimulate a seizure
- Hypoglycemia: by changing the metabolism of cells
Abnormalities in different parts of the nervous system may cause seizure, such as:[1]
For example:
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures is caused by abnormalities of the sodium channels or calcium channels.[2]
- Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy is caused by mutations in the acetylcholine receptor.[3]
- The most common form of temporal lobe epilepsy is caused by abnormalities of cellular growth.[4]
- Local brain malformations cause abnormal networks of cells.[5]
Pathophysiology of generalized tonic-clonic seizures
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizure initiates with an excessive excitation of neurons, leading to synchronous discharges of more neurons, and affects a part of the brain that causes the clinical signs and symptoms of the seizure.
- The imbalance of excessive excitation and reduced inhibition that causes and keeps the seizure going on.[6]
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor
- Glutamate is the most common neurotransmitter that causes excitation.
- Glutamate excitation effects are by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.
- However, NMDA antagonist drugs have not been clinically successful, probably due to their effects on learning and memory.
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) Receptor
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most common neurotransmitter that causes inhibition.[6]
- GABA inhibits excess excitation of the neurons by activating the GABAA receptor, in normal circumstances.
- Increasing the inhibition of GABA (even if the inhibition is not damaged) may be helpful in a seizure, since it may overwhelm the excess excitation of the seizure.
- Examples of GABA-enhancing drugs are benzodiazepines, barbiturates, propofol, and some anesthetics.
- However, these drugs are not suitable for long term therapy since patients usually become tolerant to their effect, probably due to upregulation of GABA receptors or changes in receptor sensitivity
- Examples of GABA-enhancing drugs are benzodiazepines, barbiturates, propofol, and some anesthetics.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huff JS, Fountain NB (2011). "Pathophysiology and definitions of seizures and status epilepticus". Emerg Med Clin North Am. 29 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2010.08.001. PMID 21109098.
- ↑ Mulley JC, Scheffer IE, Petrou S, Berkovic SF (2003). "Channelopathies as a genetic cause of epilepsy". Curr Opin Neurol. 16 (2): 171–6. doi:10.1097/01.wco.0000063767.15877.c7. PMID 12644745.
- ↑ Steinlein OK, Mulley JC, Propping P, Wallace RH, Phillips HA, Sutherland GR; et al. (1995). "A missense mutation in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit is associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy". Nat Genet. 11 (2): 201–3. doi:10.1038/ng1095-201. PMID 7550350.
- ↑ Sutula T, Cascino G, Cavazos J, Parada I, Ramirez L (1989). "Mossy fiber synaptic reorganization in the epileptic human temporal lobe". Ann Neurol. 26 (3): 321–30. doi:10.1002/ana.410260303. PMID 2508534.
- ↑ Andermann F (2000). "Cortical dysplasias and epilepsy: a review of the architectonic, clinical, and seizure patterns". Adv Neurol. 84: 479–96. PMID 11091890.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fountain NB, Lothman EW (1995). "Pathophysiology of status epilepticus". J Clin Neurophysiol. 12 (4): 326–42. PMID 7560021.