Source: NEWS18

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended

Context

National Epilepsy Day is marked every year in India on November 17 to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

The Epilepsy Foundation of India

National Epilepsy Day was initiated by the Epilepsy Foundation of India.

Founded by Dr. Nirmal Surya in Mumbai in 2009.

Leads efforts to improve awareness and treatment of epilepsy.

Global and National Context

WHO Estimate: Around 50 million people globally are affected by epilepsy.

India’s Share: Accounts for 10-20% of global epilepsy cases emphasizing the need for awareness and healthcare access.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

How Does the Brain Work?

The brain is made up of billions of neurons (nerve cells) that communicate through electrical signals. These signals are coordinated and help the brain perform tasks like moving, thinking and feeling.

Read about brain anatomy: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/link-between-dyslexia-and-thalamus

What Happens in Epilepsy?

In epilepsy, the normal electrical activity of the brain becomes disorganized. Neurons send excessive or rapid electrical signals leading to a "storm" of electrical activity. This disruption can affect different parts of the brain causing seizures.

Why Do Seizures Occur?

Neurons become too active.

The brain has two types of signals:

Excitatory signals (speed up activity).

Inhibitory signals (slow down activity).

In epilepsy, excitatory signals overpower inhibitory signals, causing a seizure.

What Triggers These Abnormal Signals?

Brain injuries or infections can damage neurons.

Imbalance in neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) can lead to overactivity.

Inherited changes in genes may affect how neurons function.

Types of Brain Activity in Seizures

Focal Seizures: Abnormal activity starts in one specific part of the brain.

Subtypes:

Focal Onset Aware Seizure: Occurs while the person is awake and aware.

Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizure: Leads to a loss of consciousness.

Generalized Seizures: The entire brain is involved in the electrical disturbance.

Subtypes:

Absence Seizures: Brief staring episodes.

Atonic Seizures: Sudden loss of muscle tone causing falls.

Tonic Seizures: Stiffening of muscles.

Clonic Seizures: Repeated jerking movements.

Tonic-Clonic Seizures: A combination of muscle stiffening and jerking.

Myoclonic Seizures: Quick, sudden jerks of a muscle or group of muscles.

Why Does Epilepsy Persist?

In some cases, neurons become "hyperactive" and form seizure networks that continue to generate abnormal signals. These networks may spread to other parts of the brain making seizures harder to control.

Sources:

NEWS18

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements about the occipital lobe of the human brain: It is the primary region responsible for visual processing. Damage to the occipital lobe may result in blindness even if the eyes are structurally normal. It is located at the front of the brain just behind the forehead. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 1 and 3 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: a)  Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is primarily responsible for processing visual information including color, shape and motion perception. Statement 2 is correct: Damage to the occipital lobe can cause cortical blindness where the eyes are functional but the brain cannot process visual signals. Statement 3 is incorrect: The occipital lobe is not located at the front of the brain; that region is occupied by the frontal lobe responsible for reasoning, decision-making and voluntary movements.