Clobazam was the first 1,5-benzodiazepine and was designed to have a chemical structure with a different pharmacological profile from that of the 1,4-benzodiazepines.

Carbamazepine is an iminodibenzyl derivative desig nated chemically as 5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine- 5-carboxamide. It is structurally related to the tricyclic antidepressants. It was first introduced into clinical practice in 1962, mainly for the treat ment of trigeminal neuralgia prior to becoming the main AED for focal epilepsies.

Benzodiazepines are a group of two-ring heterocyclic compounds consisting of a benzene ring fused to a diazepine ring. The first benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide, was introduced in clinical practice as anxiolytic and hypnotic in 1960 under the brand name Librium. Diazepam (Valium) followed in 1963. There are today over 30 benzodiazenines (15 are marketed in the USA) used for anxiety, panic, insomnia, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and as a premedication for medical or dental procedures.

Acetazolamide, an heterocyclic sulfonamide, is a carbonic anhydrase-inhibiting drug used predominantly for the treatment of glaucoma.

Perampanel, a first-in-class, noncompetitive, α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) receptor antagonist recently approved for the adjunctive treatment of partial seizures in patients 12 years of age and older when other antiepileptic medications have failed. 

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that predominantly affects the optic nerves and spinal cord.

Childhood stroke is one of the top ten causes of mortality in childhood. A majority of the survivors have neurological and neuropsychological deficits with significant impact on their participation and health related quality of life. WHO stroke definition includes arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS), intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT). It is well recognised that childhood stroke is multifactorial and atherosclerosis, the commonest cause of AIS in adults, is extremely rare in childhood. A number of risk factors are described and at least one factor is found in 80% children. Relatively low numbers of stroke in any one...

The MRI can be used to meet the dissemination in space requirement if the McDonald criteria for a positive MRI are applied. The MRI must show three of the following four features: (1) nine or more white matter lesions or one gadolinium-enhancing lesion, (2) three or more periventricular lesions, (3) a juxtacortical lesion, (4) an infratentorial lesion. The combination of an abnormal CSF finding and two lesions on the MRI, of which one must be in brain, can also meet the dissemination in space criteria; the CSF must...

CT Brain, with contrast is around 85% sensitive for a diagnosis of CVST. If there is doubt MR Venography should be undertaken Negative CT in the context of persistent neurological impairment should prompt further investigation with MRI or, if this proves impossible, repeat CT, as pathologies such as arterial ischaemic stroke become more apparent on CT with time. In Arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS) as well as brain imaging, investigation should include evaluation for thrombophilia (including anticardiolipin antibodies). The history should include enquiry...

Nonspecific combinations of epileptic and non-epileptic phenomena Condition Epileptic component Non-epileptic component Investigations ...