Biology Investigatory

Project

By: Gaurav Ramesh 11th B

 Certificate
This to certify that Gaurav Ramesh student of class 11th B has
successfully completed the research on the biology investigatory project
under the guidance of Mrs. Sridevi Vijay Shinde in particular fulfilment
of the curriculum of central board of secondary examination (CBSE) of
the year 2023-24.

Sign of teacher Sign of Sign of principal

examiner

2
 Acknowledgement
I have taken efforts in the project, however, it would not have been possible
without the kind support and help of many individuals. I would like to thank
my principal, Mr. Venkateshwer Rao, and my school for providing me with
facilities required to do my project. I am highly indebted to my biology
teachers, Mrs. Sridevi Vijay Shinde, for her invaluable guidance which has
sustained my efforts in all the stages of this project work. I would like to
thank my parents for their continuous support and encouragement. I would
also like to thank my fellow classmates in developing the project and to the
people who have willingly helped me out with their abilities.

3
Epilepsy
 Index

I
• Introduction

• Epilepsy

• Symptoms

• Types of epilepsy

• Rates of diseases

• Causes

• Treatment

• Prevention

• Key Facts 5
 Introduction
Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that
affects around 50 million people worldwide. It is characterized by
recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement
that may involve a part of the body (partial) or the entire body
(generalized) and are sometimes accompanied by loss of
consciousness and control of bowel or bladder function.

6
 Epilepsy
• Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects around 50 million
people worldwide.
• Seizure episodes are a result of excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells.
Different parts of the brain can be the site of such discharges. Seizures can vary from the
briefest lapses of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions. Seizures
can also vary in frequency, from less than one per year to several per day.
• One seizure does not signify epilepsy (up to 10% of people worldwide have one seizure
during their lifetime). Epilepsy is defined as having two or more unprovoked seizures.
Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest recognized conditions, with written records dating
back to 4000 BCE. Fear, misunderstanding, discrimination and social stigma have
surrounded epilepsy for centuries. This stigma continues in many countries today and
can impact on the quality of life for people with the disease and their families.

7
 Symptoms
• Characteristics of seizures vary and depend on where in the brain the disturbance first
starts, and how far it spreads. Temporary symptoms occur, such as loss of awareness or
consciousness, and disturbances of movement, sensation (including vision, hearing and
taste), mood, or other cognitive functions.
• People with epilepsy tend to have more physical problems (such as fractures and bruising
from injuries related to seizures), as well as higher rates of psychological conditions,
including anxiety and depression. Similarly, the risk of premature death in people with
epilepsy is up to three times higher than in the general population, with the highest rates
of premature mortality found in low- and middle-income countries and in rural areas.
• A great proportion of the causes of death related to epilepsy, especially in low- and
middle-income countries, are potentially preventable, such as falls, drowning, burns and
prolonged seizures.

8
 Types Of Epilepsy
• Focal Seizures : Simple focal seizures, also known as auras, occur in one area on one
side of the brain, but may spread from there. The person does not lose consciousness
during a simple focal seizure. Physicians typically break simple focal seizures down into
the following four areas, depending on the location in the brain and parts of the body
affected.
• Generalized Seizures : Generalized seizures, as
opposed to focal seizures , are a type of
seizures that impairs consciousness and distorts
the electrical activity of the whole or a larger portion
of the brain (which can be seen, for example, on
electroencephalography , EEG)
• Different types of seizures :
Absence seizures , Myoclonic seizures ,
Clonic seizures , Tonic seizures , Atonic seizures.

9
 Rates Of Diseases
• Epilepsy accounts for a significant proportion of the world’s disease burden, affecting
around 50 million people worldwide. The estimated proportion of the general population
with active epilepsy at a given time is between 4 and 10 per 1000 people.
• Globally, an estimated 5 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy each year. In high-
income countries, there are estimated to be 49 per 100 000 people diagnosed with
epilepsy each year. In low- and middle-income countries, this figure can be as high as 139
per 100 000.
• This is likely due to the increased risk of endemic conditions such as malaria or
neurocysticercosis; the higher incidence of road traffic injuries; birth-related injuries; and
variations in medical infrastructure, the availability of preventive health programmes and
accessible care. Close to 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income
countries.

10
 Causes
• Epilepsy is not contagious. Although many underlying disease mechanisms can lead to
epilepsy, the cause of the disease is still unknown in about 50% of cases globally. The
causes of epilepsy are divided into the following categories: structural, genetic,
infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown.
• Examples include :
• Brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes.
• Congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions.
• Severe head injury.
• A stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain.
• A brain tumour.

11
 Treatment
• Seizures can be controlled. Up to 70% of people living with epilepsy could become seizure
free with appropriate use of antiseizure medicines. Discontinuing antiseizure medicine
can be considered after 2 years without seizures and should take into account relevant
clinical, social and personal factors.
• A documented etiology of the seizure and an abnormal electroencephalography (EEG)
pattern are the two most consistent predictors of seizure recurrence.
• Surgery might be beneficial to patients who respond poorly to drug treatments.
• In low-income countries, about three quarters of people with epilepsy may not receive
the treatment they need. This is called the “treatment gap”.
• It is possible to diagnose and treat most people with epilepsy at the primary health-care
level without the use of sophisticated equipment.

12
 Prevention
• An estimated 25% of epilepsy cases are potentially preventable.
• Preventing head injury, for example by reducing falls, traffic accidents and sports injuries,
is the most effective way to prevent post-traumatic epilepsy.
• Adequate perinatal care can reduce new cases of epilepsy caused by birth injury.
• The use of drugs and other methods to lower the body temperature of a feverish child
can reduce the chance of febrile seizures.
• The prevention of epilepsy associated with stroke is focused on cardiovascular risk factor
reduction, e.g. measures to prevent or control high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity,
and the avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol use.

13
 Key Facts
• Historical Significance: Epilepsy has been recognized and documented for thousands of
years. It's one of the oldest known medical conditions, with references dating back to
ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Egyptians.

• Epilepsy Awareness: Various global organizations and campaigns work to raise

awareness about epilepsy and reduce the stigma associated with the condition. Purple is
the internationally recognized color for epilepsy awareness.

• Epilepsy and Memory: Seizures and epilepsy can sometimes affect memory. Some
people experience memory lapses or temporary amnesia following a seizure.

• Epilepsy Can Develop at Any Age: While epilepsy often begins in childhood or during
the teenage years, it can develop at any age, even in older adults.

14
 • Support groups and advocacy organizations provide
resources and a sense of community for individuals
with epilepsy and their families.

• Status epilepticus is a medical emergency where

seizures follow one another without recovery
between them.

• Famous historical figures and artists like Julius

Caesar, Vincent van Gogh, and Fyodor Dostoevsky
had epilepsy.

• Antiepileptic medications can have side effects,

including drowsiness, dizziness, and mood changes.

• Neuropsychological testing can help assess

cognitive and memory function.

15
Bibliography
Wikipedia.org
Google.com
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
www.cdc.gov

16
Thank you