Epilepsy Terms Glossary
AdjunctiveAdditional, add on. As in adjunct or adjunctive therapy, concerning a drug which is added to an existing medication.
AffectMood, level of emotional responsiveness.
AffectiveConcerning or influencing mood and level of responsiveness.
AmygdalaPart of the limbic system of the brain. Seizures arising in this area include a rising sensation in the stomach, nausea, movements of the mouth, chewing, fear, panic, and flushing of the face and other autonomic symptoms.
AnoxiaLack of oxygen.
AphasiaDefect in or loss of the ability to express oneself using speech, writing, or signs, or to comprehend spoken or written language as a result of injury to or disease of the brain's speech centers.
ApneaCessation of breathing.
ApraxiaLoss of ability to carry out familiar, purposeful movements, especially inability to make proper use of an object.
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)A tangle of blood vessels in the brain, may produce seizures when they bleed.
AspartateAn excitatory neurotransmitter.
AutoinductionA process whereby the body learns to metabolize (process) an antiepileptic drug, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) more effectively over time, requiring a higher dose to control seizures than was initially needed.
AutomatismInvoluntary, undirected movements during complex partial seizures and atypical absence seizures.
Autonomic nervous systemSystem of the brain that controls key bodily functions not under conscious control, such as heartbeat, breathing, sweating. System may be affected by seizures.
Blood levelThe concentration or amount of antiepileptic or other drug present in the bloodstream, usually expressed as micrograms or nanograms per milliliter.
Catamenial epilepsyEpilepsy in which there is a tendency for a woman's seizures to occur primarily at the time of menstruation.
Clinical trialsMulti-phased, organized systems of testing new drugs in human populations, and subsequent analysis of the results.
ComplianceRefers to patient adherence to physician directions for taking antiepileptic drugs.
Computerized tomography (CT)A scanning method that uses X-rays and computers to create images of the internal structure of the brain, produced at different levels, in a series of 'slices.'
Convulsive syncopeA seizure caused by fainting in which the supply of oxygen to the brain is limited.
CorticographyDirect recordings of brain activity from the surface of the cortex, usually during brain surgery.
CryptogenicOf unknown origin.
CyanosisA blueish discoloration, particularly of the skin and mucous membranes, due to lack of oxygen.
Dose-related effectA negative side effect produced by high dosage of an antiepileptic or other type of drug.
DysmemnesiaImpaired memory.
DysphasiaDifficulty in swallowing.
EncephalopathyAny degenerative disease of the brain.
Epidural electrode placementPlacement of electrodes on or outside the dura mater, a membrane covering the surface of the brain.
Epilepsia partialis continuaA prolonged simple partial seizure affecting movement.
EpileptiformAppearing to be like epilepsy, as in an epileptiform discharge on an EEG.
EpileptogenicCausing epilepsy or an epileptic response.
Focal seizureOlder term for partial seizure.
FocusIdentified area of the brain from which partial seizures arise.
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)A neurotransmitter which inhibits neuronal firing.
GenericThe name of the drug as opposed to a brand name developed by the manufacturer.
GlutamateAn excitatory neurotransmitter.
GustatoryRelated to the sense of taste.
Half-lifeLength of time needed for half of a substance to decay or be metabolized. In epilepsy, refers to the half-life of an antiepileptic drug in the body.
HemiplegiaParalysis of one side of the body.
HyperventilationRapid, deep breathing. Use in EEG testing may produce abnormalities or even a seizure.
HypsarrhythmiaA distinctive EEG pattern associated with infantile spasms in babies.
IctalPertaining to, characterized by, or caused by an epileptic seizure.
IdiopathicOf unknown origin or cause.
Idiosyncratic reactionWith reference to medication side effects, describes unusual sensitivity or an allergic-like reaction to a drug which others take without problems.
IntractableNot responding to treatment.
KindlingA procedure used in animals in which unprovoked seizures (epilepsy) can be produced by a series of provoked seizures.
Landau-Kleffner syndromeA rare, childhood condition producing seizures and progressive loss of the ability to speak.
Magnetic resonance imagingAn imaging method using magnets instead of X-rays. Produces detailed pictures of the internal structure of the brain.
Mechanism of actionHow a drug or physical process works in the body.
Minor motor seizureAn older term for a partial seizure affecting movement.
MonotherapyTreatment with a single drug.
NeoplasiaFormation of new and abnormal cell growth.
OlfactoryRelated to the sense of smell.
OnsetBeginning. As in age of onset, referring to the age at which the condition began.
ParoxysmalA sudden outburst or eruption.
PharmacokineticsThe behavior of drugs in the body, specifically rates of absorption, achievement of peak levels, and metabolism.
Photic stimulationStimulation of the brain through intense or flashing light or alternating patterns of light and dark.
Positron emission tomography (PET)An imaging technique that shows metabolic activity in the brain.
ProdromalIndicating the onset of a disease. In epilepsy, indicating the onset of a seizure.
PrognosisThe expected course or outlook for a given medical illness.
Psychic (as in psychic symptoms)Referring to emotional, intellectual or mood effects.
Rasmussen's encephalitisA rare form of epilepsy affecting one whole hemisphere of the brain; progressive in nature.
RefractoryDifficult to treat, unresponsive or of limited response to medication.
Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) An imaging technique to measure blood flow in the brain.
SlowingA type of EEG wave associated with lower levels of arousal, sleepiness, drugs, and the after effects of seizures.
SomatosensoryRelated to bodily sensation.
Steady stateA state of balance or equilibrium. Refers to drug levels which stay steady so long as the rate of metabolism is balanced by continued intake of enough medication to replace what has been used up.
Sturge-Weber syndromeA blood vessel disorder affecting the face, eyes and brain, also associated with seizures.
Subdural electrode placementPlacement of electrodes deep in the brain.
SymptomaticA condition arising out of a specific cause.
Therapeutic rangeBlood levels at which a drug can be expected to produce a beneficial effect without toxicity.
Transient hemiplegiaTemporary paralysis of one side of the body.
Trough levelIn blood level monitoring of antiepileptic drugs, the minimum level of drug in the blood prior to absorption of the next dose.
Tuberous sclerosisA genetic condition in which tumors arise in the brain, eyes, skin, and internal organs, producing seizures. Mental retardation may be associated with the condition.
VersiveTurning as in involuntary turning during a seizure.
VertigoDizziness.
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