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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffEpilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half of those who have the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors.
- Genetic influence. Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by your type of seizure, run in families, making it likely that there's a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes, though it's estimated that up to 500 genes could be tied to the condition. For most people, genes are only part of the cause, perhaps by making a person more susceptible to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.
- Head trauma sustained during a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy.
- Medical disorders. Events like strokes or heart attacks that result in damage to the brain also can cause epilepsy. Stroke is responsible for up to one-half of epilepsy cases in those over age 35.
- Dementia is a leading cause of epilepsy among older adults.
- Diseases such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis can cause epilepsy.
- Prenatal injury. Before birth, babies are susceptible to brain damage caused by an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This can lead to cerebral palsy in the child. About 20 percent of seizures in children are associated with cerebral palsy or other neurological abnormalities.
- Developmental disorders. Epilepsy can sometimes be associated with other developmental disorders, such as autism and Down syndrome.
References
- Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
- Schachter SC. Evaluation of the first seizure in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 10, 2011.
- First aid for seizures. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/firstaid/index.cfm. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
- Frequently asked questions. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/faq/. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
- Schachter SC. Overview of the management of epilepsy in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
- Ottman R, et al. Comorbidities of epilepsy: Results from the Epilepsy Comorbidities and Health (EPIC) survey. Epilepsia. 2011;52:308.
- Use of antiepileptic drugs in epilepsy and the risk of self-harm or suicidal behavior. Neurology. 2010;75:335.
- Prolonged or serial seizures (status epilepticus). Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/types/statusepilepticus.cfm. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
- Schacter SC. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
- Pre-surgical evaluation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/surgery/evaluation.cfm. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
- Hirsch LJ, et al. Neuroimaging in the evaluation of seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
- Karcesky S. Initial treatment of epilepsy in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
- Kossoff EH. The ketogenic diet. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
- Epilepsy. National Center for Biotechnology Information. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001714. Accessed Feb. 13, 2011.
- Tips for living. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/quickstart/newlydiagnosed/qsliving/idvtips.cfm. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- So E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 14, 2011.
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