Epilepsy

  • Epilepsy in Animals Canine epilepsy is often genetic but epilepsy in cats and other pets is rarer, likely because there is no hereditary component to epilepsy in these animals. Epilepsy is most commonly recognised by involuntary movements of the head and limbs, however other characteristics include salivation, and lack of bodily functions and anxiety. Animals often lose consciousness and are not aware of their surroundings. When an animal has a seizure, make sure they are lying down on the floor away from any water, stairs, or other animals. Lay your hands on the animal to let it know you are there with them. Do not try to grab their tongue or clear their mouth as there is a high chance you will be bitten; contrary to popular myth, neither humans nor animals can "swallow their tongue" during a seizure, so it is safest to stay well away from their mouth during one. [from Wikipedia.]
  • Assistance / Service Animals
  • Epilepsy Association of Central Florida (EACF)
  • Epilepsy Foundation of America offers comprehensive, medically approved consumer information about epilepsy and seizures and is the trusted source for millions of people who seek reliable information about epilepsy. The Epilepsy Foundation of America® (merged with the Epilepsy Therapy Project) is the national voluntary health agency dedicated solely to the welfare of the more than 2 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure. In addition to programs conducted at the national level, epilepsy clients throughout the U.S. are served by 48 Epilepsy Foundation affiliates around the country.
  • International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) is the recognized international umbrella body representing national epilepsy organizations that have a specific interest in improving the social condition and quality of life for people living with epilepsy and their caregivers.  New
  • Flickering content or high contrast oscillating patterns may trigger Photosensitive Epilepsy, an article from Juicy Studio about the need to avoid flickering Web content, using photosensitive epilepsy as the basis for discussion.  Updated
  • Photosensitivity and Seizures Information from the The Epilepsy Foundation of America®
  • Temporal Lobe Epilepsy is epilepsy that is characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the temporal lobe of the brain. This activity does not cause grand mal seizures; rather, it causes unusual behaviors and patterns of cognition. [from Wikipedia.]  Updated
  • Hypergraphia, a driving compulsion to write (or create in another media such as painting, blogging, etc.). [from Wikipedia.]  Updated
  • "Compulsive painting: a variant of hypergraphia?", by A. Panico, A. Parmegriani, and M.R. Trimble. Behavioural Neurology (1996), 9, 177-180 (.pdf)  New

Area of Focus: Cognitive

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Introduction

Cognitive is the mental process of thought, perception, reasoning, intuition, and memory. Sufferers may experience confusional states, acute memory disorders, delirium, encephalopathy, dementia, organic brain syndrome, psychosis, or toxic delirium.

Reference Books

There are several excellent books related to the mental process of thought, perception, reasoning, intuition, and memory. See the suggested reading list for general information and detailed reference books for your library.

Resources

Cognitive Resources

Find more resources using the Areas of Focus Cognitive category search.

Relevant News

"The Brains Behind Writer's Block: New views of the muse", by William J. Cromie, Harvard News Office. This January 29, 2004 article presents neurologist Alice Flaherty's personal experience with "Hypergraphia"; an exaggerated desire to write (or create in other media) and discusses other emotional and physical disorders that affect the frontal and temporal lobe activity and how they can affect creativity.

A related article about Alice Flaherty's hypergraphia is in the New Scientist magazine in "Creativity special: Just got to write this down" by neurologist Alice Flaherty, 29 October 2005, magazine issue 2523.

Paper, "ADHD, Memory, and Executive Function," by Louise I. Keeton, University of North Texas, summer 2003. (120 K .pdf accessible)

Abstract:
ADHD is a neurobiological disorder. The anatomy of the brain in patients with ADHD is different from non-ADHD patients. In addition to attention, working memory and executive function are also negatively affected.

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