User:MelanieBui/sandbox

Febrile Seizure- Mechanism Section Draft
The exact underlying mechanism of febrile seizures is still unknown, but it is thought to be multi-factorial involving genetic and environmental factors. Speculation includes immaturity of the central nervous system at younger ages, making the brain more vulnerable to the effects of fever. The increased activity of neurons during rapid brain development, may help explain why children, particularly younger than age 3, are prone to febrile seizures, with occurrences decreasing after age 5. Other proposed mechanisms include the interactions of inflammatory mediators, particularly cytokines, which are released during a fever, causing elevated temperatures in the brain, which may somehow lead to a seizure. Specific cytokines implicated include elevated CSF IL-1β and serum IL-6.