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Pathophysiology of Seizures Video
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Video at a Glance
- The EEG is the main way of detecting seizures.
- The details of interpreting an EEG are explained.
- In the brain, pacemaker cells send out rhythmic patterns of action potentials. The rhythm is measured in hertz.
- A seizure is a sudden alteration of brain function caused by an abrupt elevated amplitude of the waveforms and disorderly discharge of neurons.
- There are several types of seizures. A generalized seizure involves both hemispheres. A partial seizure starts in one hemisphere. A secondary seizure starts in one hemisphere and moves to the other.
- Tonic-clonic seizures are in both hemispheres, and they are characterized by phases, including aura, tonic, clonic, and post-ictal.
- An absence seizure manifests differently. They are characterized by a sudden impairment of consciousness.
- Tonic-clonic seizures and absence siezures present differently on EEG readouts.
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