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Pathophysiology of Seizure Disorders

According to the Mayo Clinic, 1 percent of people in the United States will experience some form of a seizure. The pathophysiology---the study of the causes---of seizure disorders is complicated, as causes include physical damage or abnormalities of the brain, biochemical imbalances, and genetic conditions that predispose a person to epilepsy. Seizures experienced by epileptics may be just as varied.

  1. Seizures

    • Seizures are the result of an electrical misfiring of the brain. "Classic" seizures involve falling to the ground and flailing uncontrollably, but seizures can be as mild in appearance as feeling confused or looking distracted. These symptoms occur because the brain sends signals to the body through electrical pulses. When there's a misfire, the pulses are nonsensical to the muscles, resulting in an unpredictable reaction.

    Brain Trauma

    • The brain is a delicate organ encased within the skull. Any damage to your brain, no matter how small, may cause one or more neurons---brain cells---to send an electrical signal that has no meaning to the rest of the body. People with traumatic head injuries may develop seizures at the time of the injury or afterward from neuron damage.

    Structural Brain Abnormalities

    • Congenital conditions such as hydrocephaly---which occurs when cerebrospinal fluid pressure is higher than normal---keep the brain from fully developing and leave a fluid-filled space in the cranium. The undeveloped brain then moves freely within the cranium, unable to regulate its electrical impulses to the body like a healthy brain could.

    Biochemical Imbalances

    • Biochemicals called neurotransmitters---which elicit moods, hunger, thirst, lust and other feelings---can influence electrical impulses sent out by your brain. The neurotransmitters are either absent or present in abnormal amounts due to disease. Some medications and poisons lead to the depletion of neurotransmitters, causing seizures in some cases.

    Treatment of Epilepsy

    • A person with epilepsy can lead a normal life with as little as daily medication. In severe cases, brain surgery is required to isolate and remove the part of the brain that is misfiring. Such invasive surgery has improved as technology advances---it's becoming less dangerous and removes only the smallest portion of the brain.

    Seizure First Aid

    • If you encounter a person having an epileptic seizure, do not place anything in his mouth. Contrary to popular belief, a person cannot "swallow" his own tongue. Bystanders should clear the area of any obstacles that could cause injury, and put something soft under the person's head so he doesn't strike the ground. An emergency dispatcher's instructions should be followed until help arrives.

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