Can seizures cause brain damage to the immature brain?
In humans, reports have shown that the immature nervous system is no more vulnerable and possibly more resistant to damage arising from seizure activity than are adults. The immature brain undergoing seizure activity is capable of taking care of its increased energy requirements through an acceleration of glycolytic flux, therefore, avoiding major disruptions in its oxidative metabolism. Puppies are able to maintain their reserves in cerebral high-energy phosphates. Prolonged seizure activity will, however, eventually lead to cerebral edema and laminar necrosis of cortical neurons. Chronic seizure activity may also alter the expected pattern of brain development. Causes and management Congenital disorders related to neuronal migration and some forms of cranial malformations are apt to induce seizure activity. A few inborn errors of metabolism involving the cerebral cortex may cause seizure activity. Specifically, lysosomal storage diseases can cause seizures by interference of neuronal
