The document describes temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). It provides background on a friend who was diagnosed with TLE four years ago, including his symptoms of recurrent seizures lasting 1-2 minutes with staring, lip smacking and confusion. It defines epilepsy as recurrent spontaneous seizures and TLE as originating in the temporal lobe, often causing motor, emotional and memory issues. It then discusses the nervous system structures involved in TLE, including neurons, neurotransmitters, the temporal lobe regions, hippocampus and autonomic nervous system. It outlines functions impaired in TLE such as neural signaling, cognition, perception, autonomic functions and sensory sensations.

1. TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY
PRACHI PATEL
Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of
Everyday Life
Final Project

2. Background
Four years ago, one of my friends was diagnosed with Epilepsy. He used
to get recurrent, unprovoked seizures that lasted for around 1-2 minutes.
His symptoms would often start abruptly and he would stare blankly as if
he was day dreaming. He used to smack his lips and move his mouth
repetitively. During this time, he wouldn’t respond, would usually be
unaware of his surroundings and would eventually get confused once the
seizure ended. Most of the time, he would not remember the seizure when
it was over. After conducting scans, his neurologist concluded that his
seizures originated from the temporal lobe of the brain. Since then, he has
been taking anti-seizure medications to prevent any episodes.

3. What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy
 A “Seizure” is a period of abnormal, synchronous excitation of a group of
neurons.
 Epilepsy is a state of recurrent, spontaneous seizures. (The Neurobiology of Epilepsy,
Helen E. Scharfman, PhD
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
 It is one of the most common form of focal or location related epilepsy that
originates in the Temporal Lobe of the Brain. It usually begins at the end of
the first/second decade for most people.
 People may experience motor and emotional disturbances, sensory
symptoms, memory issues etc. (http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-epilepsy-syndromes/temporal-
lobe-epilepsy-aka-tle)

4. Parts of the Nervous System that are
active/involved
1. Neurons and Neural Networks
 The human brain is made of 100 billion
neurons and support cells, glial cells. Neurons
function by sending electrochemical signals to
other neurons or directly to tissues (e.g.
muscle fibers). Neurons that have similar
functions work together to form the brain’s
internal structure (e.g. lobes/motor or sensory
strips) (www.massgeneral.org/childhood-
epilepsy/overview/brain.aspx)
Structure of Neuron Photo Source: (www.massgeneral.org/childhood-epilepsy/overview/brain.aspx)

5. Parts of the Nervous System that are
active/involved
2. Neurotransmitters
 Neurons use electrical signals to transmit signals that control the release of
chemicals called neurotransmitters. At one end of a neuron (pre-synaptic
cell) is the synaptic terminal, the point of which is to get a message across
to a second neuron (post-synaptic cell). Both cells are separated by a short
distance called the synaptic cleft. (Prof Mason, Week 2)
 When an electrical impulse arrives, it stimulates release of
neurotransmitters, which is then passed across the synapse (meeting point)
to the other neuron. Neurotransmitters can have an excitatory or inhibitory
effect on target cells (increase/decrease activity
respectively).(www.massgeneral.org/childhood-epilepsy/overview/brain.aspx)

6. Parts of the Nervous System that are
active/involved in TLE
3. The Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS)
 The Temporal Lobe is the region where sound is
processed and where auditory language and speech
comprehension systems are located. (Cognition, Brain and
Consciousness, Second Edition, 2010)
 The Primary Auditory Cortex, which is important for
interpretation of sounds, is located on the upper region of
the temporal lobe.
 Posterior to the auditory cortex is Wernicke’s Area for
speech comprehension.

7. Parts of the Nervous System that are
active/involved in TLE
3. The Brain and Central Nervous System
(CNS) contd.
 The most anterior parts of the temporal lobe are
essential for memory, emotions and retrieval of
semantic knowledge of objects
(K. Tanaka, The international Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001)
 The hippocampus is a small organ located within the
brain’s medial temporal lobe. It is a region that regulates
emotions, is associated with memory and plays an
important role in spatial navigation (www.news-
medical.net/health/Hippocampus-Functions.aspx)
Photo Source: https://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/2014/5/23/know-your-brain-hippocampus

8. Parts of the Nervous System that are
active/involved in TLE
4. The Autonomic Nervous System
 This is a part of the nervous system that works automatically
(without conscious effort) and is responsible for control of body
processes like breathing, heartbeat and digestive processes.
(www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal0cord,-and-nerve-disorders)
 The interaction between epilepsy and the autonomic nervous system is
complex. Abnormal neuron activity can affect centers that regulate
autonomic activity before, during or after a seizure.
Photo Source: https://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/2014/5/23/know-your-brain-hippocampus

9. Functions of the Nervous System that are impaired
in TLE
1. Disturbances in Neural Activity and Signaling
 In a healthy brain, different groups of neurons fire action potentials at
different times. During a seizure, firing rates are increased and many
groups of neurons fire at the same time.
 Excitatory neurons become too active and neurotransmitter release is
disturbed. Many signals are sent at the same time which become a wave of
electrical activity. The waves often begin in a particular region of the brain
(seizure focus) and then get pushed out across the brain, leading to other
symptoms.

10. Functions of the Nervous System that are impaired
in TLE
2. Impairment in Cognition and Temporal Lobe Function
 Higher cognitive functions like language, memory, thinking, emotion (Prof
Mason, Week 1)
 Temporal lobe is also important for short-term memory. One may not
remember what happened during the seizure and forget that the seizure
occurred once it stops.
 As the temporal lobe is important for processing emotions, a seizure can result
in symptoms like odd feelings (euphoria, déjà vu, fear, rollercoaster-like rising
feeling in the abdomen).
Photo Source: http://www.spinalcord.com/temporal-lobe

11. Functions of the Nervous System that are impaired
in TLE
3. Disturbance in Perception – Balance, Awareness, Hearing and Speech
 Perception is what we consciously appreciate about sensation (Prof. Mason, Week 1)
 One may appear confused or in a haze, partial or complete loss of
consciousness, not responding to noise or words for brief periods.
4. Disrupted Autonomic System Functions
 Autonomic symptoms may include heart palpitations, slow/fast/irregular
heartbeat, sweating, nausea and dilated pupils (www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy)
5. Abnormal Sensory Sensations
 One may experience abnormal sensations like numbness, tingling and a
feeling that something is crawling (www.webmd.com/epilepsy)

12. 3. How has this course helped me?
1. An Insightful and Interesting Course
 This course helped me learn about various aspects of
our multifaceted nervous system. It made me aware of
the intricate and delicate nature of this system and how
its balance is crucial in sustaining life.
 It helped me learn about various structures of the
nervous system and what happens when an
abnormality/dysfunction occurs (good examples of
disorders/diseases were provided for each topic
covered)
Picture Source: http://www.psychcongress.com/article/new-clues-neurobiology-depression

13. How has this course helped me?
2. Well-Structured and Thorough Course
 As a biology/psychology student, this course served as a good
introduction to neurobiology for me providing a holistic perspective to
various topics in neuroscience. It helped me study and understand how
the mind works and how behavior/emotions and other cognitive
functions are regulated.
 Professor Mason covered concepts with clarity. She was easy to follow
and not confusing at all. The course and material for each week was
paced well/not overloaded.

14. How has this course helped me?
3. Applying Science to Everyday Life
 Apart from providing biological/scientific knowledge
about workings and functions of the brain and our
nervous system, it taught me that neurobiology can
be applied to activities we do everyday.
 It helped me appreciate the complex nature of our
body and made me realize how hard the body works
to help us walk, talk, think, speak, keep our balance
(amongst various other things) that we usually take
for granted.
Picture Source: www.neuocomic.org