1. Whitney Coleman March 6, 2013 Honors Psychology, Period 1
Epilepsy
Whitney Coleman
March 6, 2013
Honors Psychology, Period 1

2. Scientific Name: Epilepsy Common Name: The Seizure Disorder

3. What is it?
Epilepsy is a chronic (persistent) disorder of the nervous system and brain in which a person has repeated seizures or convulsions over time.
It can be caused by some event or condition that results in damage to the brain tissue such as strokes, tumors, abscesses, trauma or infections such as meningitis. It may also be triggered by genetic factors or some form of injury at birth
Epilepsy is not contagious but people with a family history of this disorder are at a greater risk.

4. Target Population
Epilepsy affects about one percent of the population. Approximately 2.3 million Americans and 40 million people throughout the world have epilepsy. It is the second-most common neurological disorder.
The highest incidence is in children under 10 and elderly over 70.

5. Where and How it affects the CNS
Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system, specifically the brain’s temporal lobe.
The brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures.
A seizure occurs when the brain's nerve cells misfire and generate a sudden, uncontrolled surge of electrical activity in the brain.

6. Symptoms Aura- unusual sensations that occur before seizures
Staring spells
Violent shaking
Loss of alertness
Tingling throughout the body
Smell unusual odors
Headaches
Emotional changes
Depression
Irritability
Sleep disruption

7. Prognosis
For many people, epilepsy is a lifelong condition. In these cases, anti-seizure drugs need to be taken and continued.
Some people with epilepsy may be able to reduce or even stop their anti-seizure medicines after having no seizures for several years.
Certain types of childhood epilepsy go away or improve with age, usually in the late teens or 20s.

8. Cure/Treatment Currently, no cure exists for epilepsy
Medication to prevent seizures, called anticonvulsants, may reduce the number of future seizures.
Surgery is a treatment option in cases where doctors can identify the specific site in the brain where seizures originate.
Surgery to remove the abnormal brain cells may slow down or stop seizures
Surgery to place a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) may be recommended. It can help reduce the number of seizures.

9. Notable Case
A 10 year old Connecticut girl named Grace Wohlberg was faced with a difficult situation. She was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis, an extreme form of epilepsy.
Her father, Seth Wholberg had to decide to allow her to continue suffering the slow development of a rare epilepsy, or undergo the only treatment which is the removal of half of the brain.
After researching his options, Wholberg decided to go with Dr. Gary Mathern, a UCLA Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery who he trusted with this surgery in 2010
Today, Grace is recovering slowly but she has leaned to walk strongly and become alert
Wholberg started the RE Children's Project in 2010 so families could find information on fighting epilepsy

10. Florence Griffith Joyner (FloJo)
Celebrities
Florence Griffith Joyner (FloJo)
Danny Glover
Prince
Vincent Van Gogh
Tiki and Ronde Barber
James Madison

11. Organizations/ Medical Facilities
American Epilepsy Society located in Connecticut
“The American Epilepsy Society promotes research and education for professionals dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of epilepsy”
Epilepsy Foundation located in Maryland
“The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and SUDEP, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research to accelerate ideas into therapies.”
Epilepsy and Brain Mapping Program: Huntington Memorial Hospital located in California
“A comprehensive healthcare center for treating adult and pediatric epilepsy and other neurological disorders with seizures.”

12. Works Cited
Epilepsy - PubMed Health. (2012, February 16). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved March 2, 2013
Epilepsy and the Brain | epilepsy.com. (n.d.). Epilepsy and seizure information for patients and health professionals | epilepsy.com. Retrieved March 2, 2013
Letcher, M. (n.d.). Epilepsy . The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders.. Retrieved March 2, 2013