Jing-Jing ZhouDevin Lewis Karen TranJulie Nyguen Samy Pourali

Seizure: sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy: a brain disorder in which nerve cells of the brain, from time to time, release abnormal electrical impulses. Impulses from one neuron to another are sent at 500 times a second instead of the normal 80 times a second.

Genetic Genetic Brain tumors Brain tumors Viral infections Viral infections Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease Trauma during birth Trauma during birth Strokes &heart attacks Strokes &heart attacks High blood pressure High blood pressure AIDS AIDS Hormonal changes Hormonal changes Lack of sleep Lack of sleep

Alcoholism Alcoholism Poison Poison Nicotine from cigarette smoke Nicotine from cigarette smoke Head trauma from accidents or falls Head trauma from accidents or falls Overmedicating from certain types of drugs Overmedicating from certain types of drugs

More common among men than women More common among men than women Common in children and adolescents Common in children and adolescents 2.5 million Americans have been treated for epilepsy in the past 5 years. That's 8 or 9 out of every 1,000 people 2.5 million Americans have been treated for epilepsy in the past 5 years. That's 8 or 9 out of every 1,000 people

Symptoms: convulsions, muscle spasms, loss of consciousness, seizures, strange sensations, strange behavior, and strange emotions Diagnosis: MRI scan and EEG

Partial Epilepsy Occur in one side of brain. 60% suffer from this type. Sensations, feelings, smells and sounds. Petit Mal: “little bad”, mild seizures Generalized Epilepsy Generalized Epilepsy neurons abnormal firing through the whole brain neurons abnormal firing through the whole brain Grand Mal: The most severe case. Broken bones from severe muscle contractions. Grand Mal: The most severe case. Broken bones from severe muscle contractions.

No cure for epilepsy No cure for epilepsy Anti-epileptic and anti- convulsant medications Anti-epileptic and anti- convulsant medications Surgery for tumors Surgery for tumors Ketogenic Diet: Rich in fat and low carbohydrates Ketogenic Diet: Rich in fat and low carbohydrates

80% remain seizure- free for two years % will be seizure- free after their first series of medications % after second series of medication % remaining continue to have seizures

Most people lead normal lives. Limit their independence (driving) In danger of: 1.status epilepticus 2.sudden unexplained death

Epilepsy therapy & improving anti-epileptic medications. Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) in Chicago Epilepsy Foundation in Maryland Parents Against Childhood Epilepsy (PACE) Epilepsy Institute in New York City