So today we have another intriguing topic to talk about, and
that is epilepsy. Epilepsy is caused by a mutation is a gene controlling the
GABA receptor, which is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter of the vertebrae central
nervous system, and the mutation is caused by trauma or infection to the brain,
like a brain tumor or exposure to toxic substances. Epilepsy is characterized
by seizures, which can vary from brief and nearly undetectable to long periods
of vigorous shaking. Although the cause of epilepsy isn’t really know, only
about one to two percent of people have epilepsy, and their symptoms vary
depending on the location and type of brain abnormality. To help with their
epilepsy, people take antiepileptic drugs, which block sodium flow across the
membrane, or enhance the effects of GABA. Thanks to these drugs more than ninety
percent of people with epilepsy respond well enough to live a normal life. Unfortunately
some people continue to have epileptic seizures despite taking these
medications, so to aid these people doctors consider surgically removing the
focus, which is the point in the brain where the seizures begin (the location
varies from person to person). Sometimes though doing this procedure just can’t
be done because some people might have several foci. So the idea of cutting the
corpus callosum was introduced, to prevent the seizures from crossing hemispheres.
This helped because the seizure can’t cross from one hemisphere to the other,
it would only effect half the body and as a surprise, doctors found out the
seizures became less frequent. Apparently that happens because epileptic
activity bounces back and forth between both hemispheres and prolongs the
seizures, but with the corpus callosum severed, it can’t bounce and a seizure
might not develop at all. So that’s all for today, I hope that you found this
insightful (I know it was a little boring).
P.S It is said that Julius Caesar had epilepsy, but some contended that it was migraine headaches that he had.
(This video is about Jenny Labaw, who has epilepsy, and how she lives her life)
