Tag: Brain activity

Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, making it one of the most common neurological diseases [1.8.1, 1.8.2]. For many, the medication Keppra is a frontline defense, but what exactly does Keppra do to the brain to control seizures? Its unique mechanism sets it apart from other treatments.

Sedatives work by boosting the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which calms the central nervous system. This pharmacological action alters consciousness, creating a spectrum of effects, so understanding exactly what happens to your mind when you are sedated depends on the dosage and type of medication used.

General anesthesia is a drug-induced, reversible coma, not a form of sleep [1.3.1, 1.6.1]. While both states involve a loss of consciousness, the underlying neurophysiology is profoundly different. The crucial question is: does time under anesthesia count as sleep in any restorative way?

According to the World Health Organization, levetiracetam is on the List of Essential Medicines for its effectiveness in treating epilepsy. So, what does levetiracetam do to humans? It works as an anticonvulsant, helping to calm overactive nerve signals in the brain to prevent and control seizures.

Over a million Americans receive anesthesia for surgery each year, entering a state that scientists liken to a reversible, medically induced coma rather than natural sleep. The question of "Where does your mind go during anesthesia?" reveals a complex and active process in the brain, rather than a simple shutdown.