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Predicting and Preventing Epileptic Seizures

Predicting and Preventing Epileptic Seizures. Nicholas Paiva November 14, 2012. What Is Epilepsy?. Epilepsy is a neurological disease that causes random, uncontrollable seizures. Some epileptic patients will have over 100 seizures per day, while others will have one every few years.

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Predicting and Preventing Epileptic Seizures

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  1. Predicting and Preventing Epileptic Seizures Nicholas Paiva November 14, 2012

  2. What Is Epilepsy? • Epilepsy is a neurological disease that causes random, uncontrollable seizures. • Some epileptic patients will have over 100 seizures per day, while others will have one every few years. • Occurs in all age groups but most prominent in infants and the elderly • Fourth most common disorder of the nervous system-affects 65 million people (1-2%) of world population • 30% of those with epilepsy are not helped by medication and therefore surgery is their only other option.

  3. Effects of Epilepsy • Seizures can have negative affects on the person’s social, educational, vocational, and family lifestyle. • Long seizures can cause permanent damage to the neural wiring within the brain • Loss of neurotransmitter receptors in the hippocampus-affects memory • Sclerosis-increase in glial cell elements • Drop out of neurons

  4. List of Prescription Drugs Used to Treat Epilepsy • Tegretol or Carbatrol (carbamazepine) • Zarontin (ethosuximide) • Felbatol (felbamate) • Gabitril (tiagabine) • Keppra (levetiracetam) • Lamictral (lamotrigine) • Zonegran(zonisamide) • Ativan (lorazepam) • Lyrica (pregabalin) • Neurontin (Gabapentin) • Dilantin (Phenytoin) • Topamax • Trileptal(oxcarbazepine) • Depakene, Depakote (valproate, valproic acid) • Valium (diazepam)

  5. Side Effects of Drugs • bone marrow/liver failure • weakness • irritability • anxiety • confusion • behavioral changes • dry mouth • peripheral edema • blurred vision • weight gain • difficulty with concentration/attention • Fatigue • vision changes • nausea • dizziness • rash • vomiting • decreased appetite • weight loss • inability to sleep • headache • depression

  6. Predicting Seizures • Seizures were originally thought to be random but studies show that they can be predicted due to physiological changes directly before the seizure occurs. • Has been proven that there are changes in cerebral blood flow just before a seizure • Mathematical algorithms have been derived describing the function of different regions of the brain before, during and after a seizure.

  7. Locating the Problem • A miniature transmitter is implanted just below the scalp and electrodes are surgically placed on different regions of the brain • The electrodes send information regarding brain activity to the transmitter • The transmitter communicates with an external receiver. • When irregular electrical activity is detected, the external receiver will determine which region of the brain is causing the seizures.

  8. Neuroprosthetic Solutions • Purdue University has developed specially engineered neurons that are designed to release GABA when stimulated. • GABA is a neurotransmitter that will prevent the seizure from spreading to the rest of the brain. • These neurons are basically living tissue with a microchip attached that can stimulate tissue when electric current is sent through the chip. • The tissue refills itself and is able to release concentrated doses of GABA only to the appropriate site.

  9. Challenges • The prosthetic device must be small, durable, and safe for the body • More information must be gathered regarding how electrical signals affect neural tissue • Electrical stimulation must be of the right voltage so that damage to the brain doesn’t occur • Eliminating false alarms

  10. Future • Currently, the technology is still in clinical trials but human testing should be underway within the next 2-3 years. • Research on epilepsy and specifically how it affects the nervous system is still underway • Help people with epileptic episodes to live normal, seizure-free lives

  11. Works Cited • "About Epilepsy." Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsy Foundation, n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2012. <http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/>. • "Asian Correspondent Asia News." Biomedical Engineers Research to Control Epilepsy. Melborne University, 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. <http:// asiancorrespondent.com/87000/biomedical-engineers-research- to-control- epilepsy/>. • "Common Epilepsy Seizure Medications: Types, Uses, Effects, and More." Epilepsy Drugs to Treat Seizures. WebMD, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. <http:// www.webmd.com/epilepsy/medications-treat-seizures>. • Iaesemidis, Leon E. "Epileptic Seizure Prediction and Control." IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2012.<http:// ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=>. • Johnson, Carolyn. "Treating Epilepsy with Electrodes." Abc Local. N.p., 11 July 2008. Web. 9 Nov. 2012. • "Nueroprosthesis for Epileptic Seizures." Nueroprosthesis for Epileptic Seizures. Purdue University, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.fountia.com/ nueroprosthesis-epileptic-seizures>.

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