Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of Consciousness
Alterations in consciousness are central to epileptic manifestations, and involve changes in both the level of awareness and subjective content of consciousness. Generalised seizures are characterised by minimal responsiveness and subjective experience whereas simple and complex partial seizures dem...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2011-01-01
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| Series: | Behavioural Neurology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/BEN-2011-0311 |
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| _version_ | 1832560847049719808 |
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| author | Andrea Eugenio Cavanna Fizzah Ali |
| author_facet | Andrea Eugenio Cavanna Fizzah Ali |
| author_sort | Andrea Eugenio Cavanna |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alterations in consciousness are central to epileptic manifestations, and involve changes in both the level of awareness and subjective content of consciousness. Generalised seizures are characterised by minimal responsiveness and subjective experience whereas simple and complex partial seizures demonstrate more selective disturbances. Despite variations in ictal origin, behaviour and electrophysiology, the individual seizure types share common neuroanatomical foundations generating impaired consciousness. This article provides a description of the phenomenology of ictal consciousness and reviews the underlying shared neural network, dubbed the 'consciousness system', which overlaps with the 'default mode' network. In addition, clinical and experimental models for the study of the brain correlates of ictal alterations of consciousness are discussed. It is argued that further investigation into both human and animal models will permit greater understanding of brain mechanisms and associated behavioural consequences, possibly leading to the development of new targeted treatments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f9cbd3e0a4da4b9d870737d77b1946ca |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0953-4180 1875-8584 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioural Neurology |
| spelling | doaj-art-f9cbd3e0a4da4b9d870737d77b1946ca2025-02-03T01:26:40ZengWileyBehavioural Neurology0953-41801875-85842011-01-0124131010.3233/BEN-2011-0311Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of ConsciousnessAndrea Eugenio Cavanna0Fizzah Ali1Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Birmingham and BSMHFT, Birmingham, UKDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, University of Birmingham and BSMHFT, Birmingham, UKAlterations in consciousness are central to epileptic manifestations, and involve changes in both the level of awareness and subjective content of consciousness. Generalised seizures are characterised by minimal responsiveness and subjective experience whereas simple and complex partial seizures demonstrate more selective disturbances. Despite variations in ictal origin, behaviour and electrophysiology, the individual seizure types share common neuroanatomical foundations generating impaired consciousness. This article provides a description of the phenomenology of ictal consciousness and reviews the underlying shared neural network, dubbed the 'consciousness system', which overlaps with the 'default mode' network. In addition, clinical and experimental models for the study of the brain correlates of ictal alterations of consciousness are discussed. It is argued that further investigation into both human and animal models will permit greater understanding of brain mechanisms and associated behavioural consequences, possibly leading to the development of new targeted treatments.http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/BEN-2011-0311 |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Eugenio Cavanna Fizzah Ali Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of Consciousness Behavioural Neurology |
| title | Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of Consciousness |
| title_full | Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of Consciousness |
| title_fullStr | Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of Consciousness |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of Consciousness |
| title_short | Epilepsy: The Quintessential Pathology of Consciousness |
| title_sort | epilepsy the quintessential pathology of consciousness |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/BEN-2011-0311 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andreaeugeniocavanna epilepsythequintessentialpathologyofconsciousness AT fizzahali epilepsythequintessentialpathologyofconsciousness |