Efficacy of amino acid compounds for epilepsy
Administration of amino acid compounds is very effective on the paroxysmal and psychopathological component of epilepsy. For infants with epilepsy, administration of amino acids helps to support mental and speech development which suffers due to repeated epilepsy seizures. Positive effects in children with epilepsy may manifest within 7 to 10 days after the beginning of administration and persist for several months up to a year after the end of administration. The character of seizures is changing and we can observe a change from generalized seizures to partial seizures. The seizures can completely disappear or their frequency reduced by 50 to 75 per cent. Results of administration also include reduction or disappearance of secondary symptoms during the period of seizures, (such as drowsiness, nausea, headache and exhaustion).
In many cases children with epilepsy have speech and mental development problems. All conventional anti-seizure medications have some side effects and may further inhibit (suppress) speech and mental development in this group of epileptic children. Amino acid treatment in this group of children could improve their speech and mental abilities and in many cases, this treatment could also gradually reduce epilepsy manifestations. Even if a child has a resistant form of epilepsy in which conventional anti- seizure medications do not provide a reduction in seizures and neither amino acids treatment helps, amino acids improve the child’s speech and mental development. The important thing is to take care of the psychological condition of the patient. Signs of dysphoria and asthenia are considerably reduced, while the physical and intellectual activity and realization control are increased; control of perception and the ability of interactions and reactivity are improved. A positive effect was found also during the EEG monitoring. In most patients, a qualitative and quantitative minimization of the epileptic complexes and reactivity of the brain cortex is manifested and the reactivity of the brain cortex in the event of functional load is reduced.
The term “epilepsy” comes from the Greek meaning “to take hold of” to describe its effects. Epilepsy could be described as a disorder that disrupts the transmission of electrical signals inside the brain. Although one may assume that epilepsy causes episodes of uncontrolled movements and loss of consciousness, the condition is actually quite variable. Symptoms known as seizures are often subtle, causing strange sensations, emotions and behavior.
Seizures can affect any process of brain coordination. A seizure can produce temporary confusion, complete loss of consciousness, a staring spell, or uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs. Symptoms vary depending to the type of seizure. In many cases, a person with epilepsy tends to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms are very similar from episode to episode. Doctors classify seizures as either partial or generalized, based on how the abnormal brain activity begins. When seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one part of the brain, they're called partial or focal seizures. Seizures that seem to involve all of the brain are called generalized seizures.
Partial seizures
- Simple partial seizures. These seizures don't result in loss of consciousness. They may alter emotions or change the way a person acknowledges the surrounding environment.
- Complex partial seizures. These seizures alter consciousness, causing a patient to lose awareness for a period of time. Complex partial seizures often result in staring and uncontrollable movements – such as arm positioning, lip smacking, hand rubbing.
- Absence seizures (petit mal). These seizures are characterized by subtle body movement, staring and brief lapses of awareness.
- Myoclonic seizures. These seizures cause sudden jerks of legs and arms.
- Atonic seizures. These seizures cause a sudden collapse or falling down.
- Tonic – clonic seizures (grand mal). The most intense seizures, these are characterized by a loss of consciousness, body shaking and stiffening and sometimes, tongue biting.
