A 10-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his father for follow up care. He was having trouble in school until he was started on ethosuximide by a previous physician. The father says that the patient is doing well and has not had any seizures since starting the medication. His school performance has improved significantly, Which of the following is the most likely mechanism of action of the medication used in this patient?

Question

A 10-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his father for follow up care. He was having trouble in school until he was started on ethosuximide by a previous physician. The father says that the patient is doing well and has not had any seizures since starting the medication.  His school performance has improved significantly, Which of the following is the most likely mechanism of action of the medication used in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Absence seizures are generalized seizures with characteristic transient periods of unresponsiveness, which may present as episodes of blank staring and eye fluttering. Ethosuximide blocks thalamic T-type calcium channels and is an effective treatment for absence seizures

A 10-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Physician by His