What is
Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder. Nerve cells normally send
messages "by the extraordinarily rapid secretion of tiny packets of specialized chemicals known as
neurotransmitters"(2,Hopkins). While this is taking place, an electric current is generated, and
anything that increases the excitement of the nerve cells may cause an epileptic seizure. "The
biological background of an epileptic seizure is therefore an abnormal discharge of nerve cells in
the cerebral hemispheres of the brain"(3, hopkins). "Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of
neuron activity-from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development-can lead to
seizures" (www.ninds.nih.gov).
(All of the images on this
page are from www.barrysclipart.com)