Split My Brain By Julia Omarzu: Part 1 Jerrod And Jump ✓ Solved

Split My Brain By Julia Omarzu Page 1part Ijerrod And Jump

Jerrod is seven years old and is loved by his family. He is active and enjoys sports, but he has experienced seizures, which his parents noticed during playtime. After several episodes, they consulted their pediatrician, Dr. Madeline Sierra, who suggested tests including an EEG and an MRI to diagnose the cause of Jerrod's seizures.

Dr. Sierra explained that epilepsy is a possibility but not the only cause for Jerrod's symptoms. She recommended keeping a record of Jerrod's symptoms, tests, and doctor's visits to help track his condition and inform future decisions. This record will aid in understanding Jerrod's situation better. Specifically, the record should cover the nature of electrical activity in the brain, what happens during a seizure, and possible causes and treatments for seizures.

Paper For Above Instructions

Jerrod's situation presents a challenging medical case that necessitates a comprehensive understanding of epilepsy and seizure disorders. The brain's electrical activity, essential for communication among neurons, plays a crucial role in how we function. Neurons communicate through electrical signals. The electrical activity of the brain is crucial for various functions, conveying messages between neurons that control thoughts, actions, and sensory perceptions (Bear et al., 2016).

Electrical Activity in the Brain

The electrical activity in the brain is a result of the movement of ions across neuron membranes, which creates action potentials that allow neurons to communicate (Kandel et al., 2013). This communication is essential for cognitive function, motor skills, and sensory processing.

Understanding Seizures

During a seizure, abnormal electrical activity disrupts the typical patterns of neuronal firing. This can lead to loss of consciousness, convulsions, or unusual sensory experiences (Fisher et al., 2014). In Jerrod's case, his parents observed muscle twitching, weakness, and disorientation, indicating a type of seizure affecting his consciousness and motor control.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures and can be diagnosed through clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests such as EEG and MRI (Berg et al., 2010). EEG provides information about electrical activity in the brain, revealing seizure patterns, while MRI can identify structural abnormalities (Duncan et al., 2016). Diagnosing epilepsy involves an assessment of seizure frequency, type, and triggers, as well as a patient's medical history.

EEG and MRI Procedures

An EEG involves placing electrodes on the scalp to record electrical activity in the brain, which can help diagnose epilepsy and other seizure disorders (Brodie & Yuen, 2015). It is a non-invasive test that typically lasts 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the protocol. An MRI, on the other hand, uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of brain structures, assisting in diagnosing conditions like tumors or brain malformations that may contribute to seizures.

Other Causes of Seizures

While epilepsy is a common cause of seizures, other factors can lead to seizure activity. These may include metabolic disorders, infections, head trauma, and genetic conditions (Glauser et al., 2016). Understanding the underlying causes is essential for appropriate treatment and management of Jerrod's condition.

Jerrod’s Type of Seizures

Based on the information provided, Jerrod appears to be experiencing partial seizures, which affect only one part of the brain. These seizures can manifest as localized twitches and may lead to altered awareness, as evident in Jerrod's experiences (Baker et al., 2015).

Managing Seizures

During a seizure, it is important to ensure Jerrod's safety by laying him on his side to prevent choking, placing a soft object under his head, and removing any nearby hazards. It is crucial not to restrain him or place anything in his mouth, as this can cause injury (Epilepsy Foundation, 2023).

Treatments for Epilepsy

Treatment options for epilepsy generally include antiepileptic medications, dietary therapies, and sometimes surgery when medications are ineffective. In Jerrod's case, the doctors prescribed medication, but due to increasing severity and frequency of seizures, further evaluation and alternative treatments such as surgery were considered necessary (Kwan et al., 2016).

Rasmussen Syndrome

Rasmussen Syndrome is a rare neurodegenerative condition characterized by unilateral seizures, cognitive decline, and motor impairment (Chadwick et al., 2015). It typically affects one hemisphere of the brain and results in progressive damage and worsening seizure frequency. Reference to historical cases reveals that this condition often leads to significant treatment challenges, including surgery, when conservative measures fail (Lee et al., 2019).

Potential Impacts of Hemispherectomy

Should doctors proceed with a functional hemispherectomy, they would remove the affected regions of the brain. This can significantly improve seizure control and prevent further neurological deterioration. While cognitive and physical abilities in areas associated with the left hemisphere may be impacted, Jerrod will retain many skills associated with the intact right hemisphere, such as spatial processing and creativity (Graham et al., 2018).

Post-Surgery Recovery

The family can play an integral role in Jerrod's recovery through emotional support, rehabilitation exercises, and education about seizure management. Engaging with support groups can also provide invaluable insights for the family going through similar challenges (Epilepsy Foundation, 2023).

Long-Term Functioning

After surgery, Jerrod's level of functioning may improve due to decreased seizure activity. However, the extent of his recovery will depend on several factors, including the functional compensatory capacity of his brain and his overall health (Baker et al., 2015).

Final Recommendations

Given Jerrod's worsening condition and the severity of his seizures, I recommend considering the functional hemispherectomy. This procedure may provide him the best chance for a significant improvement in quality of life, despite the inherent risks involved. It is critical for the family to have thorough discussions with the medical team and access to support, ensuring they are well-informed to make the best choice for Jerrod's future.

References

• Baker, G. A., et al. (2015). "The management of epilepsy in the 21st century." Epilepsia.
• Bear, M. F., et al. (2016). "Neuroscience." Sinauer Associates.
• Brodie, M. J., & Yuen, A. W. (2015). "The role of EEG monitoring in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy." Practice of Neurophysiology.
• Berg, A. T., et al. (2010). "New concepts in classification and diagnosis of epileptic seizures and syndromes." Pediatrics.
• Chadwick, D., et al. (2015). "Rasmussen's encephalitis: A clinical and statistical overview." Epilepsy Research.
• Duncan, J. S., et al. (2016). "MRI in epilepsy: A prospective study." Brain.
• Epilepsy Foundation. (2023). "First Aid for Seizures." Retrieved from https://www.epilepsy.com/
• Glauser, T., et al. (2016). "Epilepsy: Diagnosis and management." Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy.
• Graham, J. D., et al. (2018). "Impact of hemispherectomy on cognitive functions." Neuropsychology.
• Kwan, P., et al. (2016). "Classification of seizure types." Epilepsia.
• Kandel, E. R., et al. (2013). "Principles of Neural Science." McGraw-Hill Education.