A seizure threshold is the balance between excitatory and inhibitory forces in the brain which affects how susceptible one is to seizures. Those diagnosed with epilepsy or certain other neurological conditions are vulnerable to sudden new seizures if the threshold is upset, and so must be especially careful and compliant with their therapeutic drug regimen, if they must use anticonvulsants. Drugs such as the antidepressant and nicotinic antagonist bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and the analgesic tramadol (Ultram, Ultram ER, Ultracet) can lower the seizure threshold. So can other factors, including: exposure to neon or laser flashing lights, lengthy periods of fasting, malnutrition, starvation, lengthy periods of high stress and/or fear, fatigue and exhaustion, uncontrolled diabetes, other endocrine and/or metabolic irregularities (like electrolyte or hormonal imbalances), cancer, and certain disorders of the nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems.
Other articles related to "seizure threshold, seizures, seizure, threshold":
... mouth, constipation, urinary retention and possible lowering of seizure threshold ... Even therapeutically low doses may trigger seizures in susceptible patients, such as those with an abnormally low genetically determined seizure threshold, presumably by lowering the ... The incidence of the first unprovoked seizure in the general population is from 0.07 to 0.09%, but in patients treated with commonly used antipsychotic drugs it reportedly ranges from 0.1 to 1.5% ...
... for ECT are in excess of an individual's seizure threshold about one and a half times seizure threshold for bilateral ECT and up to 12 times for unilateral ECT ... Below these levels treatment may not be effective in spite of a seizure, while doses massively above threshold level, especially with bilateral ECT ... Seizure threshold is determined by trial and error ("dose titration") ...
Famous quotes containing the words threshold and/or seizure:
“Much of modern art is devoted to lowering the threshold of what is terrible. By getting us used to what, formerly, we could not bear to see or hear, because it was too shocking, painful, or embarrassing, art changes morals.”
—Susan Sontag (b. 1933)
“Shut not so soon; the dull-eyed night
Has not yet begun
To make a seizure on the light,
Or to seal up the sun.”
—Robert Herrick (1591–1674)