ABSTRACT
Epileptic seizures are paroxysmal clinical events arising from neuronal hyperexcitability and hypersynchrony of the cerebral cortex, either locally or simultaneously in both hemispheres. A seizure occurs when there is a sudden imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory inputs to a network of neurons such that there is overall excessive excitability. The behavioral manifestations of a seizure depend on the area of the cerebral cortex that is involved-directly, in the seizure focus, or indirectly, through recruitment and propagation of this abnormal paroxysmal neuronal activity. Convulsions are defined as seizures that include motor manifestations such as repeated and rhythmic jerking of the limbs, most often due to involvement of the motor cortex. Anticonvulsant drugs are medications that attempt to compensate for this abnormal cellular hyperexcitability by shifting the delicate balance back toward its normal state. Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures, and is associated with a variety of medical conditions and neurological diseases. Antiepileptic medications attempt to treat this chronic seizure propensity, and, by definition, antiepileptogenic drugs aim to prevent the natural history of the epileptic disease.
