PCHD19 Genetic Mutation and Epilepsy
By: Andrew Yee PCHD19 Epilepsy PCHD19-epilepsy is a type of epilepsy caused by a mutation of the PCDH19 gene on the X chromosome. The PCDH19 gene results in epilepsy by encoding the protein protocadherin 19. PCDH19-epilepsy begins in the first year of life and mainly affects girls. Boys may also be affected, but it is […]
Menstrual Disturbances and Epilepsy
By: Aaliyah Ellison-McPeters What are Menstrual Disturbances Generally? Menstrual disturbances or disorders are any ailments that affect a woman’s typically normal menstrual cycle. Studies show that the potential causes for these abnormalities are frequent seizures and the use of anti-epileptic drugs; there is also a type of disorder called catamenial epilepsy that induces seizures around […]
Occipital Lobe and Epilepsy
By: Catherine Joachin What is the occipital lobe? The occipital lobe is the hindmost region of the human brain. It hosts the visual cortex, which analyzes the visual information detected by the eyes and breaks down the components of visual stimulus in order for the brain to discern the different characteristics of the environment (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). […]
Fragile X Syndrome
By: Catherine Joachin What is Fragile X Syndrome? Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading form of inherited intellectual disability (Mount Sinai, 2021). It is a hereditary disorder caused by alterations in the FMR1 gene, which produces the fragile X intellectual disabilities protein (FMRP), an important contributor to brain development (CDC, 2022). FMR1 mutations do […]
Cognition and dementia in older patients with epilepsy
By: Lance Fogan, M.D. Lance Fogan, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. His hard-hitting emotional family medical drama, “DINGS, is told from a mother’s point of view. “DINGS” is his first novel. Aside from acclamation on internet bookstore sites, U.S. Report of Books, and the Hollywood […]
Apert Syndrome and Epilepsy
By: Catherine Joachin What is Apert syndrome? Apert syndrome is a congenital disease characterized by craniofacial abnormalities and premature fusions of coronal joints, fingers, and toes (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). This disorder is caused by genetic mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2), a chromosome 10 gene responsible for bone development (Children’s Hospital Colorado, n.d.). […]
Pregnancy, Postpartum Complications, and the Importance of Advocacy
By: Aaliyah Ellison-McPeters Pregnancy Complications While expecting mothers who have epilepsy have several concerns during pregnancy, most of these mothers will have healthy babies, and pregnancy will not drastically affect their epilepsy. Common pregnancy complications that women with epilepsy face include slowed fetal heart rate, decreased oxygen to the fetus, preterm labor and birth, and […]
CDKL5 Genetic Mutation and Epilepsy
By: Andrew Yee What Is The CDKL5 Gene? The CDKL5 gene is most active in the brain and codes for a protein found in cells and body tissues. The CDKL5 gene is essential for normal brain development and functioning. The protein that is produced by the gene has five different versions. Studies have shown that […]
PNES and Epilepsy
By: Clara O’Hara Introduction Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are attacks that look like epileptic seizures, but are not caused by abnormal electrical charges (University of South Florida Health, 2013). They are, instead, a physical reaction to stress-related, psychological, or emotional issues. People with PNES cannot control their seizures The psychiatric diagnosis for PNES is conversion […]
Social Anxiety and Epilepsy
By: Catherine Joachin What is social anxiety? Social anxiety disorder also referred to as social phobia, is a mental health condition which involves an overwhelming fear of judgment. The disorder is marked by chronic self-consciousness and fear of humiliation that can turn everyday interactions into highly anxiogenic situations and lead to the development of avoidance […]