How Do Seizures Damage the Brain?
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Identification
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Statistics show that 1 to 2 percent of the population suffers from some form of seizures within their lifetime. Doctors have classified seizure types into two basic categories: epileptic and nonepileptic. The epileptic type is recurrent and typically begins in early childhood, or late adulthood. Nonepileptic types are caused by other disorders that don't necessarily affect a person's brain activity.
Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity taking place in the brain. The effects that an episode has on a person depends on what area of the brain is experiencing abnormal electrical activity. Their occurrence can vary in frequency and severity. Symptoms that may occur prior to the onslaught of a seizure can include partial blackouts, shifts in emotional state, unusual skin sensations, hallucinations, uncontrollable muscle movements and bitter or metallic taste.
Function
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Conditions that are known to cause seizures are brain injuries (caused by an accident), infections, stroke, heredity or prior brain surgery. Depending on the severity, visible effects from seizure activity can be seen in slowed reactions, disorientation, reduced attention span and memory loss. The disturbance in electrical activity can happen in a localized area of the brain or a larger, more generalized area.
Area-type episodes are seen in three categories:
· Partial seizures, which are short-lived. Most of the time the person maintains consciousness throughout the episode. Symptoms are more along the lines of unusual sensations in mood, consciousness or vision.
· Complex partial seizures, which can last up to three minutes. Loss of consciousness is possible, and the person may not be able to remember having the seizure.
· Generalized seizures, which are evidenced by a total loss of control of body movements and loss of consciousness. In this form abnormal electrical activity has spread throughout most of the brain's network.
Considerations
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In 2007 a study done by the Washington University School of Medicine examined the effects of seizures on brain cells. Their results confirmed that severe or prolonged seizures -- a condition called status epilepticus -- can cause the death of brain cell structures. They identified specific damage to the neuron dendrite areas of the cell, which are the branch-like portions that carry electrical impulses from cell to cell. Michael Wong, the physician heading up the study, stated that the observed dendrite damage accounts for the occurrence of cognitive impairment seen in those with seizure disorders.
Results taken after seizure episodes observed in mice revealed a breakdown of a molecule called Actin, considered essential to brain cell structure. Researchers attributed the abnormal electrical activity as causing the breakdown of actin molecules. Wong and his team are currently working toward finding a preventative treatment that will counteract this process.
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Resources
- Photo Credit http://neurosurgery.seattlechildrens.org/, http://www.chse.louisville.edu/, http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
