Padaczka – Etiologia i przyczyny

Padaczka
Etiologia i przyczyny

Padaczka to złożone zaburzenie neurologiczne charakteryzujące się nawracającymi, nieprowokowanymi napadami wynikającymi z nadmiernej i zsynchronizowanej aktywności elektrycznej mózgu. Etiologia padaczki jest wieloczynnikowa i klasyfikowana przez ILAE na sześć głównych kategorii: strukturalne, genetyczne, metaboliczne, infekcyjne, immunologiczne oraz nieznane. Przyczyny strukturalne obejmują m.in. urazy głowy, udary (częściej krwotoczne niż niedokrwienne), guzy mózgu, stwardnienie hipokampa, malformacje naczyniowe i wady rozwojowe mózgu, często wykrywane za pomocą MRI. Genetyczne podłoże wiąże się z mutacjami w co najmniej 977 genach, obejmując dziedziczne zespoły padaczkowe, mutacje de novo oraz predyspozycje genetyczne wpływające na próg drgawkowy. Etiologia infekcyjna dotyczy padaczki po przebytych infekcjach OUN, takich jak zapalenie opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych, encefalitis, neurocysticerkoza, HIV, gruźlica i malaria mózgowa. Metaboliczne przyczyny to m.in. wrodzone błędy metabolizmu, hipoglikemia, zaburzenia elektrolitowe (np. hiponatremia) i porfirie. Immunologiczne podłoże obejmuje autoimmunologiczne zapalenie mózgu i obecność przeciwciał przeciwko receptorom NMDA, co może manifestować się nagłym i ciężkim początkiem napadów. Etiologia nieznana dotyczy 60-70% przypadków, gdzie prawdopodobnie współistnieją czynniki genetyczne i środowiskowe.

Etiologia padaczki

Padaczka (epilepsja) to złożone zaburzenie neurologiczne charakteryzujące się nawracającymi, nieprowokowanymi napadami padaczkowymi, które wynikają z nieprawidłowej, nadmiernej i zsynchronizowanej aktywności elektrycznej w mózgu. Około połowa przypadków padaczki nie ma jednoznacznie określonej przyczyny, a w pozostałych przypadkach etiologia jest zróżnicowana i może obejmować wiele czynników, zarówno nabytych, jak i genetycznych¹².

Międzynarodowa Liga Przeciwpadaczkowa (International League Against Epilepsy, ILAE) wprowadziła w 2017 roku nową klasyfikację etiologiczną padaczki, wyróżniając sześć głównych kategorii przyczyn: strukturalne, genetyczne, metaboliczne, infekcyjne, immunologiczne oraz nieznane³⁴. Ta klasyfikacja zastąpiła wcześniejsze określenia takie jak „idiopatyczna”, „kryptogenna” czy „objawowa”⁵.

Przyczyny strukturalne

Etiologia strukturalna odnosi się do zmian anatomicznych w mózgu, które można zidentyfikować za pomocą technik neuroobrazowania, takich jak rezonans magnetyczny (MRI). Te zmiany strukturalne znacząco zwiększają ryzyko wystąpienia napadów padaczkowych⁶⁷.

Do najczęstszych przyczyn strukturalnych padaczki należą:

Uraz głowy – urazy głowy powstałe w wyniku wypadków komunikacyjnych, upadków lub innych urazów mechanicznych mogą prowadzić do padaczki. Ciężki uraz głowy jest najczęstszą znaną przyczyną padaczki u młodych dorosłych⁸⁹.
Udar mózgu – u osób powyżej 35 roku życia udar jest wiodącą przyczyną padaczki. Ryzyko wystąpienia padaczki jest większe po udarze krwotocznym niż niedokrwiennym¹⁰¹¹.
Guzy mózgu – zarówno guzy złośliwe, jak i łagodne mogą powodować napady padaczkowe. Napady są najczęstszym objawem prezentacyjnym guzów mózgu i przerzutów¹²¹³.
Stwardnienie hipokampa (HS) – stosunkowo częste znalezisko w padaczce skroniowej przyśrodkowej¹⁴.
Malformacje naczyniowe mózgu – takie jak malformacje tętniczo-żylne i malformacje jamiste mogą powodować padaczkę¹⁵¹⁶.
Wady rozwojowe mózgu – różne wady strukturalne mózgu powstałe w okresie rozwoju płodowego, takie jak dysplazja korowa, mogą być przyczyną padaczki w późniejszym życiu¹⁷¹⁸.

Warto podkreślić, że w wielu przypadkach padaczki strukturalnej, zmiany mogą być subtelne i niewidoczne przy użyciu obecnie dostępnych technik obrazowania¹⁹.

Przyczyny genetyczne

Padaczka jest uznawana za mającą podłoże genetyczne, gdy występuje znana lub przypuszczalna specyficzna mutacja genu lub wariant liczby kopii, przy czym napady są częstym fenotypem tej zmiany genetycznej²⁰. W badaniach wykazano, że z padaczką związanych jest co najmniej 977 genów²¹.

Genetyczne podłoże padaczki obejmuje:

Dziedziczne zespoły padaczkowe – niektóre typy padaczki, jak padaczka miokloniczna młodzieńcza czy dziecięca padaczka nieświadomości, częściej występują rodzinnie²².
Mutacje de novo – zmiany genetyczne mogą wystąpić u dziecka bez przekazania ich od rodzica. W tej sytuacji padaczka ma podłoże genetyczne, ale nie jest dziedziczna²³.
Predyspozycje genetyczne – badacze sądzą, że choć istnieją dowody na udział określonych genów, to same geny jedynie zwiększają ryzyko padaczki, a inne czynniki mogą być również zaangażowane²⁴.
Próg drgawkowy – część naszego genetycznego wyposażenia, który może być przekazany z rodzica na dziecko. Osoby z niskim progiem drgawkowym są bardziej podatne na spontaniczne napady padaczkowe²⁵.

Niektórzy badacze uważają obecnie, że szansa rozwoju padaczki jest prawdopodobnie zawsze w pewnym stopniu genetyczna, w tym sensie, że każda osoba, u której zaczynają występować napady, zawsze miała pewien poziom genetycznej predyspozycji do ich wystąpienia. Ten poziom może być różny – od wysokiego do niskiego²⁶.

Przyczyny infekcyjne

Etiologia infekcyjna odnosi się do pacjentów z padaczką, u których choroba rozwinęła się w wyniku przebytej infekcji ośrodkowego układu nerwowego. Nie dotyczy to pacjentów z napadami występującymi w przebiegu ostrej infekcji²⁷.

Do najczęstszych przyczyn infekcyjnych padaczki należą:

Zapalenie opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych (meningitis)²⁸²⁹.
Zapalenie mózgu (encephalitis)³⁰³¹.
Neurocysticerkoza – infekcja pasożytnicza mózgu, będąca jedną z najczęstszych przyczyn padaczki w krajach rozwijających się³²³³.
HIV i AIDS³⁴³⁵.
Gruźlica³⁶.
Malaria mózgowa³⁷.

Infekcje są najczęstszą przyczyną padaczki na świecie³⁸. Mogą one prowadzić do padaczki poprzez powodowanie zapalenia, bliznowacenia lub uszkodzenia strukturalnego mózgu³⁹.

Przyczyny metaboliczne

Etiologia metaboliczna odnosi się do padaczki wynikającej bezpośrednio ze znanego lub przypuszczalnego zaburzenia metabolicznego, w którym napady są podstawowym objawem zaburzenia⁴⁰.

Do przyczyn metabolicznych padaczki należą:

Wrodzone błędy metabolizmu – takie jak choroby mitochondrialne, zaburzenia cyklu mocznikowego czy niedobór transportera glukozy typu 1 (GLUT1)⁴¹.
Hipoglikemia (niski poziom cukru we krwi) – może prowadzić do napadów przez upośledzenie zdolności mózgu do funkcjonowania⁴²⁴³.
Zaburzenia elektrolitowe – szczególnie niski poziom sodu (hiponatremia), wapnia lub magnezu⁴⁴.
Porfirie – grupa zaburzeń metabolicznych, w których padaczka może być centralną cechą⁴⁵.

Zaburzenia metaboliczne mogą zakłócać równowagę chemiczną i elektrolitową w organizmie, wpływając na aktywność elektryczną mózgu⁴⁶.

Przyczyny immunologiczne

Etiologia immunologiczna może być podejrzewana u pacjentów z padaczką o niewyjaśnionym pochodzeniu, gdy są oni seropozytywni dla przeciwciał specyficznych dla neuronów i mają dowody na autoimmunologiczne zapalenie ośrodkowego układu nerwowego⁴⁷.

Do przyczyn immunologicznych padaczki należą:

Autoimmunologiczne zapalenie mózgu – stan, w którym układ odpornościowy atakuje tkankę mózgową, często manifestujący się napadami⁴⁸.
Zaburzenia autoimmunologiczne – takie jak choroba Gravesa-Basedowa, choroba Hashimoto, reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów, toczeń rumieniowaty układowy czy wrzodziejące zapalenie jelita grubego, mogą prowadzić do padaczki⁴⁹.
Przeciwciała przeciwko receptorom NMDA – rzadka, ale coraz częściej identyfikowana przyczyna padaczki kryptogennej i opornej na leczenie, szczególnie u młodych kobiet⁵⁰.

Nagłe i ciężkie pojawienie się napadów może wskazywać na autoimmunologiczną przyczynę padaczki u pacjenta⁵¹.

Przyczyny nieznane

Istnieje szósta kategoria etiologiczna, określana jako „nieznana”, zarezerwowana dla pacjentów, których etiologia pozostaje niejasna⁵². U około 60-70% pacjentów z padaczką nie można zidentyfikować jednoznacznej przyczyny choroby⁵³⁵⁴.

W przypadkach padaczki o nieznanej przyczynie:

Może istnieć kombinacja czynników genetycznych i środowiskowych prowadzących do padaczki⁵⁵.
Przypuszcza się, że wiele przypadków może być związanych z ukrytymi chorobami genetycznymi⁵⁶.
Badania naukowe, nowe technologie diagnostyczne i testy genetyczne stopniowo ujawniają przyczyny w coraz większej liczbie przypadków⁵⁷.

Warto podkreślić, że nawet w przypadku gdy napady padaczkowe zaczynają się po urazie mózgu lub innej zmianie strukturalnej, może to być wynikiem zarówno zmiany strukturalnej, jak i genetycznej predyspozycji danej osoby do napadów⁵⁸.

Padaczka w różnych grupach wiekowych

Przyczyny padaczki różnią się znacząco w zależności od wieku wystąpienia pierwszych napadów⁵⁹⁶⁰.

Padaczka u niemowląt i małych dzieci

U niemowląt i małych dzieci najczęstsze przyczyny padaczki obejmują:

Urazy okołoporodowe – uszkodzenie mózgu podczas porodu może prowadzić do padaczki w późniejszym życiu⁶¹.
Niedotlenienie okołoporodowe – niedobór tlenu podczas porodu może uszkodzić tkankę mózgową i prowadzić do padaczki⁶²⁶³.
Wady wrodzone mózgu – nieprawidłowy rozwój mózgu przed urodzeniem⁶⁴.
Infekcje – zarówno u matki podczas ciąży, jak i u noworodka⁶⁵.
Zaburzenia metaboliczne – wrodzone błędy metabolizmu⁶⁶.
Nieprawidłowe poziomy substancji w krwi – takich jak glukoza, wapń czy magnez⁶⁷.
Gorączka – drgawki gorączkowe u niektórych dzieci mogą prowadzić do padaczki⁶⁸.

Napady padaczkowe w tej grupie wiekowej mogą rozpoczynać się już w drugim miesiącu życia, ale mogą też pojawić się dopiero między 6 miesiącem a 9 rokiem życia, w zależności od przyczyny⁶⁹.

Padaczka u dzieci i młodzieży

U starszych dzieci i młodzieży najczęstsze przyczyny padaczki obejmują:

Czynniki genetyczne – wiele zespołów padaczkowych w tej grupie wiekowej ma podłoże genetyczne, np. padaczka miokloniczna młodzieńcza⁷⁰.
Zaburzenia rozwojowe – dzieci z autyzmem i ADHD mają większe ryzyko wystąpienia padaczki⁷¹⁷².
Urazy głowy – urazy głowy w dzieciństwie mogą prowadzić do padaczki⁷³.
Infekcje mózgu – takie jak zapalenie opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych czy zapalenie mózgu⁷⁴.
Guzy mózgu⁷⁵.
Zespoły genetyczne – takie jak stwardnienie guzowate, które powoduje łagodne guzy w różnych narządach, w tym w mózgu, lub zespół Sturge-Webera⁷⁶.

Pierwszy napad u pacjentów z padaczką idiopatyczną często występuje około 14 roku życia⁷⁷.

Padaczka u młodych dorosłych

U młodych dorosłych najczęstsze przyczyny padaczki obejmują:

Urazy głowy – ciężki uraz głowy jest najczęstszą znaną przyczyną padaczki w tej grupie wiekowej⁷⁸.
Nadużywanie alkoholu i narkotyków – mogą one obniżyć próg drgawkowy i prowadzić do napadów⁷⁹.
Czynniki genetyczne – padaczka może ujawnić się w młodym wieku dorosłym nawet przy genetycznej predyspozycji⁸⁰.
Infekcje mózgu⁸¹.

W tej grupie wiekowej napady mogą wystąpić w ciągu tygodnia od urazu głowy, co może prowadzić do rozwoju padaczki pourazowej (PTE)⁸²⁸³.

Padaczka u osób w średnim wieku

U osób w średnim wieku najczęstsze przyczyny padaczki obejmują:

Udar mózgu – jest to najczęstsza przyczyna padaczki u osób powyżej 35 roku życia⁸⁴.
Guzy mózgu⁸⁵.
Urazy głowy⁸⁶.
Choroby naczyniowe mózgu⁸⁷.
Choroby autoimmunologiczne⁸⁸.

Padaczka w średnim wieku często wynika z uszkodzenia mózgu spowodowanego chorobami naczyniowymi, co może prowadzić do blizn i zmian w aktywności elektrycznej mózgu⁸⁹.

Padaczka u osób starszych

U osób starszych najczęstsze przyczyny padaczki obejmują:

Udar mózgu – jest to najczęstsza znana przyczyna padaczki u osób starszych⁹⁰⁹¹.
Choroby neurodegeneracyjne – takie jak choroba Alzheimera i inne formy demencji⁹²⁹³.
Guzy mózgu – częstość występowania guzów mózgu i przerzutów wzrasta z wiekiem⁹⁴.
Zaburzenia snu – bezdech senny zwiększa ryzyko padaczki 1,5-krotnie⁹⁵.

Częstość występowania padaczki znacznie wzrasta po 60 roku życia, a rozpowszechnienie padaczki w wieku 75 lat jest dwukrotnie większe niż w innych okresach dorosłości⁹⁶. Osoby starsze są też bardziej narażone na napady w wyniku choroby naczyniowej mózgu, która może nie dawać wyraźnych objawów, poza napadami padaczkowymi⁹⁷.

Czynniki wyzwalające napady

Czynniki wyzwalające napady (triggery) to okoliczności, które zwiększają prawdopodobieństwo wystąpienia napadu u osób z padaczką. Należy je odróżnić od przyczyn samej padaczki⁹⁸.

Częste czynniki wyzwalające

Do najczęstszych czynników wyzwalających napady należą:

Deprywacja snu – niewystarczająca ilość snu lub zaburzona jakość snu może obniżyć próg drgawkowy i wyzwolić napad⁹⁹¹⁰⁰.
Stres – wysoki poziom stresu może wyzwalać napady u osób predysponowanych¹⁰¹¹⁰².
Alkohol – zarówno nadmierne spożycie alkoholu, jak i zespół odstawienia alkoholu mogą wyzwalać napady¹⁰³¹⁰⁴.
Gorączka – może być szczególnie częstym czynnikiem wyzwalającym u dzieci¹⁰⁵.
Cykl miesiączkowy – niektóre kobiety doświadczają napadów w określonych fazach cyklu menstruacyjnego¹⁰⁶.
Leki – niektóre leki mogą obniżać próg drgawkowy, np. trójpierścieniowe leki przeciwdepresyjne¹⁰⁷.
Narkotyki – używanie narkotyków może wyzwalać napady¹⁰⁸.
Hipoglikemia – niski poziom cukru we krwi może wyzwalać napady, szczególnie u osób z cukrzycą¹⁰⁹.

Identyfikacja i unikanie osobistych czynników wyzwalających może pomóc w lepszej kontroli napadów padaczkowych¹¹⁰.

Padaczka fotogenna

Około 3-5% osób z padaczką cierpi na tzw. padaczkę fotogenną (światłoczułą), w której napady są wyzwalane przez migające lub pulsujące światła¹¹¹. Jest to przykład padaczki odruchowej, w której określony bodziec konsekwentnie wywołuje napad¹¹².

Patofizjologia napadów padaczkowych

Na poziomie komórkowym i molekularnym napady padaczkowe wynikają z zaburzenia normalnej równowagi między pobudzeniem a hamowaniem w mózgu¹¹³.

Mechanizmy padaczkotwórcze

Do głównych mechanizmów patofizjologicznych prowadzących do padaczki należą:

Zaburzenia równowagi neuroprzekaźników – zmniejszona aktywność GABA (kwasu gamma-aminomasłowego, głównego neuroprzekaźnika hamującego) lub zwiększona aktywność glutaminianu (głównego neuroprzekaźnika pobudzającego)¹¹⁴.
Kanałopatie jonowe – zaburzenia w funkcjonowaniu kanałów jonowych w błonach neuronów, które regulują przepływ jonów i pobudliwość komórek¹¹⁵.
Neuroplastyczność – tworzenie nowych, nieprawidłowych połączeń synaptycznych po uszkodzeniu mózgu¹¹⁶.
Dysfunkcja komórek glejowych – szczególnie astrocytów, które odgrywają kluczową rolę w regulacji aktywności neuronalnej¹¹⁷.
Nieprawidłowy rozwój kory mózgowej – dysgenezja korowa prowadząca do zaburzeń w organizacji neuronów¹¹⁸.

Napady padaczkowe występują, gdy dochodzi do nagłej, niekontrolowanej aktywności elektrycznej w mózgu, zakłócającej normalne funkcjonowanie¹¹⁹. Ta nadmierna, zsynchronizowana aktywność neuronalna może pochodzić z określonego obszaru mózgu (napady ogniskowe) lub może obejmować oba półkule mózgu (napady uogólnione)¹²⁰.

Epileptogeneza

Proces, w którym normalny mózg staje się zdolny do generowania spontanicznych napadów, nazywany jest epileptogenezą¹²¹. Może on obejmować:

Bliznowacenie tkanki mózgowej (glioza) po urazie lub infekcji¹²².
Śmierć neuronów (apoptoza) w określonych obszarach mózgu¹²³.
Zanik (atrofia) obszarów mózgu¹²⁴.
Zmiany w ekspresji genów wpływających na pobudliwość neuronów¹²⁵.

Zrozumienie mechanizmów leżących u podstaw epileptogenezy jest kluczowe dla opracowania skuteczniejszych metod leczenia i potencjalnych strategii zapobiegania padaczce, szczególnie po urazach mózgu lub infekcjach¹²⁶.

Znaczenie kliniczne

Identyfikacja przyczyny padaczki jest kluczowym elementem w diagnostyce, poradnictwie prognostycznym i leczeniu¹²⁷¹²⁸.

Wpływ na diagnostykę

Określenie etiologii padaczki wpływa na proces diagnostyczny poprzez:

Ukierunkowanie badań obrazowych i laboratoryjnych¹²⁹.
Pomoc w ocenie ryzyka nawrotu napadów po pierwszym epizodzie¹³⁰.
Identyfikację potencjalnie leczonej przyczyny, takiej jak guz mózgu lub malformacja naczyniowa¹³¹.

Osoba ma dwukrotnie większe ryzyko wystąpienia kolejnego napadu, jeśli istnieje znane uszkodzenie mózgu lub inny rodzaj nieprawidłowości mózgowej¹³².

Wpływ na leczenie

Określenie przyczyny padaczki ma kluczowe znaczenie dla leczenia, ponieważ:

Ukierunkowuje wybór leków przeciwpadaczkowych – niektóre leki są bardziej skuteczne w określonych typach padaczki¹³³.
Pozwala na leczenie przyczynowe, jeśli to możliwe (np. usunięcie guza mózgu, leczenie zaburzeń metabolicznych)¹³⁴.
Umożliwia ocenę potencjalnej oporności na leki – niektóre przyczyny strukturalne, takie jak stwardnienie hipokampa, często prowadzą do padaczki lekoopornej¹³⁵.
Pomaga w kwalifikacji do leczenia operacyjnego – w przypadku padaczki lekoopornej, gdy zidentyfikowano konkretną przyczynę, zabieg chirurgiczny może być skutecznym rozwiązaniem¹³⁶¹³⁷.

W przypadku padaczki lekoopornej, po niepowodzeniu kilku leków przeciwpadaczkowych, można rozważyć leczenie chirurgiczne, które w niektórych przypadkach pozwala na kontrolę napadów¹³⁸.

Znaczenie prognostyczne

Etiologia padaczki ma istotne znaczenie prognostyczne:

Określa ryzyko zgonu – śmiertelność u pacjentów z padaczką wtórną (objawową) jest wyższa niż u pacjentów z padaczką idiopatyczną¹³⁹.
Pomaga przewidzieć naturalny przebieg choroby – niektóre zespoły mają tendencję do zanikania wraz z wiekiem, inne są trwałe¹⁴⁰.
Pozwala na ocenę ryzyka rozwoju innych zaburzeń – niektóre przyczyny padaczki wiążą się z ryzykiem współwystępowania innych problemów neurologicznych lub rozwojowych¹⁴¹.

Ryzyko nagłego nieoczekiwanego zgonu w padaczce (SUDEP) jest 25 razy większe niż w populacji ogólnej i może być związane z problemami z oddychaniem podczas napadu, zaburzeniami rytmu serca lub kombinacją tych czynników¹⁴².

W miarę postępu w kierunku medycyny precyzyjnej i terapii celowanych, etiologia padaczki będzie odgrywać coraz większą rolę w leczeniu tej choroby¹⁴³.

Kolejne rozdziały

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Wybierz kolejny rozdział z menu poniżej, aby otworzyć nową podstronę kompedium wiedzy i uzyskać szczegółowe informację o leku, substancji lub chorobie.

Materiały źródłowe

#1 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including: […] Other causes can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders. But in about half of people with epilepsy, there’s no apparent cause. […] Some types of epilepsy run in families. In these instances, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes. But some people have genetic epilepsy that isn’t hereditary. Genetic changes can occur in a child without being passed down from a parent. […] Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy. […] Brain tumors can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy also may be caused by the way blood vessels form in the brain. People with blood vessel conditions such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have seizures. And in adults older than age 35, stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy.
#2
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
Epilepsy is not contagious. Although many underlying disease mechanisms can lead to epilepsy, the cause of the disease is still unknown in about 50% of cases globally. The causes of epilepsy are divided into the following categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown. Examples include: […] brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes (e.g. a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth, low birth weight); […] congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions with associated brain malformations; […] a severe head injury; […] a stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain; […] an infection of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis; […] certain genetic syndromes; and […] a brain tumour.
#3 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
Epilepsies are a complex and heterogeneous group of disorders mainly characterized by the presence of recurrent, spontaneous, and unpredictable seizures. […] The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) proposed a new classification framework in 2017 which included six etiologic categories of seizures and epilepsies. […] The ILAE Task Force has defined six etiologic categories for epilepsy: genetic, structural, metabolic, infectious, immune, and unknown. […] A structural etiology refers to an abnormal finding on neuroimaging reasonably inferred to cause the patients seizures with concordant electroclinical assessments and/or clinical findings. […] Among structural etiologies, it is noteworthy the relatively frequent finding of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) in mesial temporal lobe seizures.
#4 Epilepsy – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy
Epilepsy can result from a wide range of genetic and acquired factors, and in many cases, both play a role. Acquired causes include serious traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumors, and central nervous system infections. Despite advances in diagnostic tools, no clear cause is identified in approximately 60% of cases. The distribution of causes often varies with age. Epilepsies associated with genetic, congenital, or developmental conditions are more common in children, while epilepsy related to stroke or tumors is more frequently seen in older adults. […] The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classifies the causes of epilepsy into six broad categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune, and unknown. These categories are not mutually exclusive, and more than one may apply in an individual case.
#5 EPILEPSIES BY ETIOLOGY
https://www.epilepsydiagnosis.org/aetiology/epilepsies-etiology-groupoverview.html
Epilepsies by Etiology […] In recent years there has been a significant expansion in our understanding of the underlying etiologies of the epilepsies, underpinned by advances in modern neuroimaging and genetic testing. As such terminology such as 'idiopathic’, 'cryptogenic’ and 'symptomatic’ are no longer used. Epilepsies are now described more precisely by their specific underlying etiologies. […] Some etiologies are associated with a more diverse clinical phenotype, with variable seizure type(s), age at onset, associated comorbidities and/or prognosis. In other cases, an etiology is associated with a clearly-defined, relatively uniform and distinct clinical phenotype in most affected individuals (clinical presentation, seizure types, comorbidities, course of illness and/or response to specific therapies), as well as consistent EEG, neuroimaging and/or genetic correlates, and in the latter, the term etiology-specific syndrome can be used.
#6 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
Epilepsies are a complex and heterogeneous group of disorders mainly characterized by the presence of recurrent, spontaneous, and unpredictable seizures. […] The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) proposed a new classification framework in 2017 which included six etiologic categories of seizures and epilepsies. […] The ILAE Task Force has defined six etiologic categories for epilepsy: genetic, structural, metabolic, infectious, immune, and unknown. […] A structural etiology refers to an abnormal finding on neuroimaging reasonably inferred to cause the patients seizures with concordant electroclinical assessments and/or clinical findings. […] Among structural etiologies, it is noteworthy the relatively frequent finding of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) in mesial temporal lobe seizures.
#7 What Causes Epilepsy and Seizures? Symptoms + Types
https://www.cureepilepsy.org/understanding-epilepsy/epilepsy-basics/what-causes-epilepsy/
Epilepsy occurs when the normal electrical signaling between the neurons in the brain becomes disrupted. The exact causes of epilepsy and this disruption are varied and not completely understood, making it complex to diagnose (and treat). […] Epilepsy is a complex condition that arises from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. […] While the exact cause of epilepsy in an individual may not always be clear, researchers have identified several common factors that can contribute to its onset. […] The causes of epilepsy are broken into six subgroups: Structural, Genetic, Infections, Metabolic, Immune, Unknown. […] A structural cause refers to brain abnormalities that are visible on structural neuroimages, such as an MRI. […] When a patient’s epilepsy is the direct result of a genetic mutation, they are considered to have a genetic etiology.
#8 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including: […] Other causes can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders. But in about half of people with epilepsy, there’s no apparent cause. […] Some types of epilepsy run in families. In these instances, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes. But some people have genetic epilepsy that isn’t hereditary. Genetic changes can occur in a child without being passed down from a parent. […] Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy. […] Brain tumors can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy also may be caused by the way blood vessels form in the brain. People with blood vessel conditions such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have seizures. And in adults older than age 35, stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy.
#9 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#10 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including: […] Other causes can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders. But in about half of people with epilepsy, there’s no apparent cause. […] Some types of epilepsy run in families. In these instances, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes. But some people have genetic epilepsy that isn’t hereditary. Genetic changes can occur in a child without being passed down from a parent. […] Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy. […] Brain tumors can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy also may be caused by the way blood vessels form in the brain. People with blood vessel conditions such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have seizures. And in adults older than age 35, stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy.
#11 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Epileptic-Seizure-Causes.aspx
High fever in some children may lead to convulsions or seizures called febrile convulsions. […] Disorders that affect the cavernous sinus, a blood-filled space that contains the carotid artery may cause headaches, brain haemorrhages and seizures. […] A condition called cerebral arteriovenous malformation, a deformity of the arteries and veins in the brain, commonly causes headaches and seizures. […] A severe fall in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or a severe lack of oxygen in the body (hypoxia) can lead to seizures. […] Neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis may also cause seizures. […] Brain tumours, cancers and abscesses may also increase the risk of seizures by causing blockages and a build up of fluid in the brain referred to as hydrocephalus, which is a common cause of seizures. […] Brain damage caused by stroke can lead to epilepsy and is more likely to occur in a person who has suffered a hemorrhagic stroke rather than an ischemic stroke. […] Brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis can provoke seizures.
#12 Late-Onset Epilepsy
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2022-oct/late-onset-epilepsy
Seizures are the most common presenting symptom of brain tumors and brain metastases, both of which increase in incidence with age. […] Over one-third of LOE has no structural cause identified. […] There is evidence suggesting that LOUE may be related to cerebrovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, which are all known to interact with one another. […] Sleep apnea increases epilepsy risk 1.5 times and, conversely, obstructive sleep apnea occurs at higher frequency in people with LOUE compared with the general population. […] The incidence of epilepsy increases markedly after age 60, and the prevalence of LOE at age 75 is twice that of other stages of adulthood. Although LOE most often has structural causes, up to 30% has an unidentifiable cause. LOUE may be the harbinger of occult cerebrovascular disease; prodromal dementia; sleep apnea; or unidentified brain cancer, metastases, or paraneoplastic disease.
#13 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including: […] Other causes can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders. But in about half of people with epilepsy, there’s no apparent cause. […] Some types of epilepsy run in families. In these instances, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes. But some people have genetic epilepsy that isn’t hereditary. Genetic changes can occur in a child without being passed down from a parent. […] Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy. […] Brain tumors can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy also may be caused by the way blood vessels form in the brain. People with blood vessel conditions such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have seizures. And in adults older than age 35, stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy.
#14 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
Epilepsies are a complex and heterogeneous group of disorders mainly characterized by the presence of recurrent, spontaneous, and unpredictable seizures. […] The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) proposed a new classification framework in 2017 which included six etiologic categories of seizures and epilepsies. […] The ILAE Task Force has defined six etiologic categories for epilepsy: genetic, structural, metabolic, infectious, immune, and unknown. […] A structural etiology refers to an abnormal finding on neuroimaging reasonably inferred to cause the patients seizures with concordant electroclinical assessments and/or clinical findings. […] Among structural etiologies, it is noteworthy the relatively frequent finding of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) in mesial temporal lobe seizures.
#15 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including: […] Other causes can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders. But in about half of people with epilepsy, there’s no apparent cause. […] Some types of epilepsy run in families. In these instances, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes. But some people have genetic epilepsy that isn’t hereditary. Genetic changes can occur in a child without being passed down from a parent. […] Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy. […] Brain tumors can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy also may be caused by the way blood vessels form in the brain. People with blood vessel conditions such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have seizures. And in adults older than age 35, stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy.
#16 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Epileptic-Seizure-Causes.aspx
High fever in some children may lead to convulsions or seizures called febrile convulsions. […] Disorders that affect the cavernous sinus, a blood-filled space that contains the carotid artery may cause headaches, brain haemorrhages and seizures. […] A condition called cerebral arteriovenous malformation, a deformity of the arteries and veins in the brain, commonly causes headaches and seizures. […] A severe fall in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or a severe lack of oxygen in the body (hypoxia) can lead to seizures. […] Neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis may also cause seizures. […] Brain tumours, cancers and abscesses may also increase the risk of seizures by causing blockages and a build up of fluid in the brain referred to as hydrocephalus, which is a common cause of seizures. […] Brain damage caused by stroke can lead to epilepsy and is more likely to occur in a person who has suffered a hemorrhagic stroke rather than an ischemic stroke. […] Brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis can provoke seizures.
#17 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#18 Epilepsy – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy
Structural causes of epilepsy refer to abnormalities in the anatomy of the brain that increase the risk of seizures. These may be acquired such as from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, or central nervous system infection or developmental and genetic in origin, as seen in conditions like focal cortical dysplasia or certain congenital brain malformations. […] Genetic causes of epilepsy are those in which a person’s genes directly contribute to the development of seizures. This includes cases where a specific mutation has been identified, as well as situations where the family history and clinical features strongly suggest a genetic basis, even if no known mutation is found. […] Infectious causes include infections of the central nervous system that directly affect brain tissue and lead to long-term seizure susceptibility. Examples include herpes simplex encephalitis, which carries a high risk of developing epilepsy, and neurocysticercosis, a major preventable cause of epilepsy in endemic regions.
#19 Causes – Epilepsy Ontario
https://epilepsyontario.org/about-epilepsy/causes/
Epilepsy is a term used to describe many different neurological disorders that all have a common feature, an increased risk of having seizures. […] Just as there are many different types of epilepsy there are many different causes too, which include: […] a brain injury or damage to the brain Anything that can injure the brain is a potential cause of epilepsy including: head trauma; stroke; brain injury during birth; neurodegenerative diseases; brain tumours; and many others. Epilepsy may begin weeks, months or years after an injury to the brain. […] structural abnormalities that arise during brain development Sometimes these structural changes in the brain are visible on a brain scan (such as a MRI), other times there could be subtle changes in brain structure that are not easy to detect with current imaging techniques. Epilepsy due to a structural abnormality may begin early in life, during adolescence or in adulthood.
#20 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
An epilepsy is considered of genetic origin if there is a known, or presumed, specific disease-causing variant in a gene or copy number variant, in which seizures are a common phenotype. […] A study by Wang et al found that 977 genes were associated with epilepsy. […] Infectious etiology refers to a patient with epilepsy, not a patient with seizures due to an acute infection of the CNS. […] The concept of a metabolic epilepsy is that it results directly from a known or presumed metabolic derangement in which seizures are a core symptom of the disorder. […] An immune etiology can be suspected in patients with epilepsy of unknown origin when they are seropositive for neural specific antibodies and have evidence of autoimmune-mediated CNS inflammation. […] There is a sixth etiology category, designated as Unknown, reserved for patients whose etiology remains unclear.
#21 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
An epilepsy is considered of genetic origin if there is a known, or presumed, specific disease-causing variant in a gene or copy number variant, in which seizures are a common phenotype. […] A study by Wang et al found that 977 genes were associated with epilepsy. […] Infectious etiology refers to a patient with epilepsy, not a patient with seizures due to an acute infection of the CNS. […] The concept of a metabolic epilepsy is that it results directly from a known or presumed metabolic derangement in which seizures are a core symptom of the disorder. […] An immune etiology can be suspected in patients with epilepsy of unknown origin when they are seropositive for neural specific antibodies and have evidence of autoimmune-mediated CNS inflammation. […] There is a sixth etiology category, designated as Unknown, reserved for patients whose etiology remains unclear.
#22 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#23 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including: […] Other causes can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders. But in about half of people with epilepsy, there’s no apparent cause. […] Some types of epilepsy run in families. In these instances, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes. But some people have genetic epilepsy that isn’t hereditary. Genetic changes can occur in a child without being passed down from a parent. […] Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy. […] Brain tumors can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy also may be caused by the way blood vessels form in the brain. People with blood vessel conditions such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have seizures. And in adults older than age 35, stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy.
#24 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#25 What causes epilepsy? | Epilepsy Society
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/about-epilepsy/what-epilepsy/causes-epilepsy
Our seizure threshold is one part of our genetic make-up which can be passed from parent to child. So the chance of you having seizures may depend partly on whether either or both of your parents has epilepsy. […] If you have a low seizure threshold, your brain is less resistant to seizures. So you are more likely to suddenly start having seizures for no obvious reason than someone with a high seizure threshold. […] Research continues into understanding more about why seizures happen in some people and not in others.
#26 What causes epilepsy? | Epilepsy Society
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/about-epilepsy/what-epilepsy/causes-epilepsy
Different epilepsies are due to many different underlying causes. The causes can be complex, and sometimes hard to identify. A person might start having seizures because they have one or more of the following. […] Some researchers now believe that the chance of developing epilepsy is probably always genetic to some extent, in that any person who starts having seizures has always had some level of genetic likelihood to do so. This level can range from high to low and anywhere in between. […] Even if seizures start after a brain injury or other structural change, this may be due to both the structural change and the person’s genetic tendency to seizures, combined. This makes sense if we consider that many people might have a similar brain injury, but not all of them develop epilepsy afterwards.
#27 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
An epilepsy is considered of genetic origin if there is a known, or presumed, specific disease-causing variant in a gene or copy number variant, in which seizures are a common phenotype. […] A study by Wang et al found that 977 genes were associated with epilepsy. […] Infectious etiology refers to a patient with epilepsy, not a patient with seizures due to an acute infection of the CNS. […] The concept of a metabolic epilepsy is that it results directly from a known or presumed metabolic derangement in which seizures are a core symptom of the disorder. […] An immune etiology can be suspected in patients with epilepsy of unknown origin when they are seropositive for neural specific antibodies and have evidence of autoimmune-mediated CNS inflammation. […] There is a sixth etiology category, designated as Unknown, reserved for patients whose etiology remains unclear.
#28 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis and some parasitic infections can cause epilepsy. […] Before they’re born, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors. They might include an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or not enough oxygen. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy. […] Epilepsy can sometimes occur with developmental conditions. People with autism are more likely to have epilepsy than are people without autism. Research also has found that people with epilepsy are more likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions. Having both conditions may be related to genes.
#29 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#30 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis and some parasitic infections can cause epilepsy. […] Before they’re born, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors. They might include an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or not enough oxygen. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy. […] Epilepsy can sometimes occur with developmental conditions. People with autism are more likely to have epilepsy than are people without autism. Research also has found that people with epilepsy are more likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions. Having both conditions may be related to genes.
#31 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#32 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#33
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
Epilepsy is not contagious. Although many underlying disease mechanisms can lead to epilepsy, the cause of the disease is still unknown in about 50% of cases globally. The causes of epilepsy are divided into the following categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown. Examples include: […] brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes (e.g. a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth, low birth weight); […] congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions with associated brain malformations; […] a severe head injury; […] a stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain; […] an infection of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis; […] certain genetic syndromes; and […] a brain tumour.
#34 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis and some parasitic infections can cause epilepsy. […] Before they’re born, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors. They might include an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or not enough oxygen. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy. […] Epilepsy can sometimes occur with developmental conditions. People with autism are more likely to have epilepsy than are people without autism. Research also has found that people with epilepsy are more likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions. Having both conditions may be related to genes.
#35 Causes of Epilepsy – UChicago Medicine
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/neurology-neurosurgery/epilepsy-seizures/causes
Babies are very sensitive to brain damage while they are in their mothers womb. Certain factors can lead to brain damage that can result in epilepsy or other conditions (like cerebral palsy). […] Meningitis, viral encephalitis and HIV/AIDs all have the potential to cause epilepsy. […] Some people with developmental disorders, like autism or neurofibromatosis (NF), also have epilepsy.
#36 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
What Causes Epilepsy? […] In some cases, epilepsy can be hereditary. In some people with generalized seizures, for example, epilepsy has a genetic component. It is worth noting that only a statistically small number of people who experience generalized seizures also have family members who experience generalized seizures. Sleep deprivation and binge drinking are said to be potential triggers for people who experience generalized seizures. […] Infection is the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide. Tuberculosis, bacterial meningitis, and cerebral malaria are some infectious diseases that are associated with causing epilepsy. […] Epilepsy can have autoimmune causes when someone has a history of cancer or an autoimmune disease, such as Grave’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ulcerative colitis. A sudden and severe onset of seizures can be an indicator that a patient’s epilepsy can have an autoimmune cause.
#37 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
What Causes Epilepsy? […] In some cases, epilepsy can be hereditary. In some people with generalized seizures, for example, epilepsy has a genetic component. It is worth noting that only a statistically small number of people who experience generalized seizures also have family members who experience generalized seizures. Sleep deprivation and binge drinking are said to be potential triggers for people who experience generalized seizures. […] Infection is the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide. Tuberculosis, bacterial meningitis, and cerebral malaria are some infectious diseases that are associated with causing epilepsy. […] Epilepsy can have autoimmune causes when someone has a history of cancer or an autoimmune disease, such as Grave’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ulcerative colitis. A sudden and severe onset of seizures can be an indicator that a patient’s epilepsy can have an autoimmune cause.
#38 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
What Causes Epilepsy? […] In some cases, epilepsy can be hereditary. In some people with generalized seizures, for example, epilepsy has a genetic component. It is worth noting that only a statistically small number of people who experience generalized seizures also have family members who experience generalized seizures. Sleep deprivation and binge drinking are said to be potential triggers for people who experience generalized seizures. […] Infection is the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide. Tuberculosis, bacterial meningitis, and cerebral malaria are some infectious diseases that are associated with causing epilepsy. […] Epilepsy can have autoimmune causes when someone has a history of cancer or an autoimmune disease, such as Grave’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ulcerative colitis. A sudden and severe onset of seizures can be an indicator that a patient’s epilepsy can have an autoimmune cause.
#39 Epilepsy Causes and Common Seizure Symptoms
https://www.verywellhealth.com/epilepsy-causes-risk-factors-1204427
Infections that affect the brain can lead to epilepsy by causing inflammation, scarring, or structural damage. […] Some developmental disorders raise the risk of epilepsy because of brain differences, genetic causes, or problems with brain signals. […] Alcohol and drugs can trigger seizures and, in some cases, contribute to epilepsy. […] In many cases, the cause of epilepsy is unknown.
#40 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
An epilepsy is considered of genetic origin if there is a known, or presumed, specific disease-causing variant in a gene or copy number variant, in which seizures are a common phenotype. […] A study by Wang et al found that 977 genes were associated with epilepsy. […] Infectious etiology refers to a patient with epilepsy, not a patient with seizures due to an acute infection of the CNS. […] The concept of a metabolic epilepsy is that it results directly from a known or presumed metabolic derangement in which seizures are a core symptom of the disorder. […] An immune etiology can be suspected in patients with epilepsy of unknown origin when they are seropositive for neural specific antibodies and have evidence of autoimmune-mediated CNS inflammation. […] There is a sixth etiology category, designated as Unknown, reserved for patients whose etiology remains unclear.
#41 Epilepsy – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy
Immune causes include conditions like autoimmune encephalitis, in which the immune system attacks brain tissue, often presenting with seizures. […] Metabolic causes of epilepsy include metabolic disorders that disrupt the brain’s normal function. In rare cases, epilepsy may result from inborn errors of metabolism, such as mitochondrial diseases, urea cycle disorders, or glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) deficiency. […] Unknown causes of epilepsy refer to cases where no clear structural, genetic, infectious, immune, or metabolic origin can be identified despite thorough evaluation. This category acknowledges the limits of current diagnostic techniques and scientific understanding.
#42 What Causes Epilepsy? | Epilepsy FoundationFacebookInstagramTwitterPhoneEmailFacebookInstagramTwitter
https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/understanding-epilepsy/about-epilepsy/what-causes-epilepsy/
There are many causes of epilepsy. For almost 60% of people diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause of their seizures is not immediately known and further investigation are needed to determine the underlying cause. This is sometimes called âidiopathicâ epilepsy. Modern investigations and technologies such as improved medical imaging and genetic testing are revealing causes in more and more patients. […] Some of the causes of epilepsy could include: Brain abnormalities that occur in utero (before birth) […] Low oxygen during birth […] Brain injury, such as after a traumatic head injury […] Brain infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis […] Stroke, which can lead to scarring of the brain […] Brain tumour, either benign or malignant […] Low blood glucose can impair the brainâs ability to function
#43 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Epileptic-Seizure-Causes.aspx
High fever in some children may lead to convulsions or seizures called febrile convulsions. […] Disorders that affect the cavernous sinus, a blood-filled space that contains the carotid artery may cause headaches, brain haemorrhages and seizures. […] A condition called cerebral arteriovenous malformation, a deformity of the arteries and veins in the brain, commonly causes headaches and seizures. […] A severe fall in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or a severe lack of oxygen in the body (hypoxia) can lead to seizures. […] Neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis may also cause seizures. […] Brain tumours, cancers and abscesses may also increase the risk of seizures by causing blockages and a build up of fluid in the brain referred to as hydrocephalus, which is a common cause of seizures. […] Brain damage caused by stroke can lead to epilepsy and is more likely to occur in a person who has suffered a hemorrhagic stroke rather than an ischemic stroke. […] Brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis can provoke seizures.
#44 Seizure: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22789-seizure
Seizure causes fall into two main categories depending on why they happen: Provoked seizures (nonepileptic): A trigger, which could be a temporary condition or certain circumstances, causes seizure symptoms to happen. Unprovoked seizures (epileptic): Seizures happen spontaneously (randomly). They may happen often. These seizures are the primary symptom of epilepsy. […] Seizures can happen for many different reasons. These include but arent limited to the following: Aneurysms. Brain tumors. Cerebral hypoxia. Cerebrovascular disease. Diabetes. Severe concussion and traumatic brain injury, especially ones with loss of consciousness. Degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimers disease or frontotemporal dementia. Eclampsia. Electrolyte problems, especially low sodium (hyponatremia), calcium or magnesium. Epilepsy (seizures that happen frequently without any clear, underlying cause). Genetic conditions.
#45 Causes of epilepsy
https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/assistance/diseases/epilepsy/causes-and-risk-factors
Cerebral CT angiography or computed tomography angiography […] Changes in neuroimaging studies are observed, which are often acquired after a stroke, brain tumour or head injury. […] Genetic mutations can lead to epilepsy. […] This is the most typical cause of epilepsy worldwide. For example, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis can cause epileptic seizures. […] Epilepsy can develop as a central characteristic of certain metabolic disorders such as porphyrias. […] This occurs when an autoimmune defect affects the central nervous system. […] In many cases, advances in diagnostic tests, it is not possible to determine the causes of epilepsy.
#46 Seizure Causes -Orlando Epilepsy Center
https://orlando-epilepsy.com/seizure-causes-explained/
Metabolic disturbances can disrupt the balance of chemicals and electrolytes within the body, affecting the brains electrical activity. […] There are some kinds of medications, that can cause seizures when used incorrectly, such as overdosing on some antidepressants, antipsychotics, and opioids. […] Excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse are significant risk factors for seizures, as long-term alcohol abuse can result in a condition called alcohol withdrawal seizures, which happen when someone who excessively consumes alcohol suddenly stops or cuts down their alcohol intake. […] Traumatic brain injuries resulting from falls, accidents, or sports-related incidents can disrupt the brains normal function and lead to seizures. […] One of the most common seizure causes is stress and sleep deprivation. Stress and lack of sleep can lower the seizure threshold, making individuals more vulnerable to seizures. […] Seizures are complex neurological events that can result from a wide range of causes. Epilepsy, brain abnormalities, infections, metabolic disturbances, medications, substance abuse, head injuries, febrile seizures, stress, and sleep deprivation are all seizure causes.
#47 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
An epilepsy is considered of genetic origin if there is a known, or presumed, specific disease-causing variant in a gene or copy number variant, in which seizures are a common phenotype. […] A study by Wang et al found that 977 genes were associated with epilepsy. […] Infectious etiology refers to a patient with epilepsy, not a patient with seizures due to an acute infection of the CNS. […] The concept of a metabolic epilepsy is that it results directly from a known or presumed metabolic derangement in which seizures are a core symptom of the disorder. […] An immune etiology can be suspected in patients with epilepsy of unknown origin when they are seropositive for neural specific antibodies and have evidence of autoimmune-mediated CNS inflammation. […] There is a sixth etiology category, designated as Unknown, reserved for patients whose etiology remains unclear.
#48 Epilepsy – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy
Immune causes include conditions like autoimmune encephalitis, in which the immune system attacks brain tissue, often presenting with seizures. […] Metabolic causes of epilepsy include metabolic disorders that disrupt the brain’s normal function. In rare cases, epilepsy may result from inborn errors of metabolism, such as mitochondrial diseases, urea cycle disorders, or glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) deficiency. […] Unknown causes of epilepsy refer to cases where no clear structural, genetic, infectious, immune, or metabolic origin can be identified despite thorough evaluation. This category acknowledges the limits of current diagnostic techniques and scientific understanding.
#49 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
What Causes Epilepsy? […] In some cases, epilepsy can be hereditary. In some people with generalized seizures, for example, epilepsy has a genetic component. It is worth noting that only a statistically small number of people who experience generalized seizures also have family members who experience generalized seizures. Sleep deprivation and binge drinking are said to be potential triggers for people who experience generalized seizures. […] Infection is the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide. Tuberculosis, bacterial meningitis, and cerebral malaria are some infectious diseases that are associated with causing epilepsy. […] Epilepsy can have autoimmune causes when someone has a history of cancer or an autoimmune disease, such as Grave’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ulcerative colitis. A sudden and severe onset of seizures can be an indicator that a patient’s epilepsy can have an autoimmune cause.
#50 Seizure Disorders – Neurologic Disorders – MSD Manual Professional Edition
https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/seizure-disorders/seizure-disorders
Epilepsy is often idiopathic, but various brain disorders, such as malformations, strokes, and tumors, can cause symptomatic epilepsy. […] Common causes of seizures vary by age of onset: Before age 2: Fever, hereditary or congenital neurologic disorders, birth injuries, and inherited or acquired metabolic disorders. […] Adults: Cerebral trauma, alcohol withdrawal, tumors, strokes, and an unknown cause (in 50%). […] In cryptogenic epilepsy and often in refractory epilepsy, a rare but increasingly identified cause is anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, especially in young women. […] The term epileptic spasms has replaced the term infantile spasms, although infantile spasms may be used for epileptic spasms that occur during infancy. Onset of epileptic spasms may be focal, generalized or unknown.
#51 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
What Causes Epilepsy? […] In some cases, epilepsy can be hereditary. In some people with generalized seizures, for example, epilepsy has a genetic component. It is worth noting that only a statistically small number of people who experience generalized seizures also have family members who experience generalized seizures. Sleep deprivation and binge drinking are said to be potential triggers for people who experience generalized seizures. […] Infection is the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide. Tuberculosis, bacterial meningitis, and cerebral malaria are some infectious diseases that are associated with causing epilepsy. […] Epilepsy can have autoimmune causes when someone has a history of cancer or an autoimmune disease, such as Grave’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ulcerative colitis. A sudden and severe onset of seizures can be an indicator that a patient’s epilepsy can have an autoimmune cause.
#52 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Etiologies of Seizures and Epilepsy – Epilepsy – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580618/
An epilepsy is considered of genetic origin if there is a known, or presumed, specific disease-causing variant in a gene or copy number variant, in which seizures are a common phenotype. […] A study by Wang et al found that 977 genes were associated with epilepsy. […] Infectious etiology refers to a patient with epilepsy, not a patient with seizures due to an acute infection of the CNS. […] The concept of a metabolic epilepsy is that it results directly from a known or presumed metabolic derangement in which seizures are a core symptom of the disorder. […] An immune etiology can be suspected in patients with epilepsy of unknown origin when they are seropositive for neural specific antibodies and have evidence of autoimmune-mediated CNS inflammation. […] There is a sixth etiology category, designated as Unknown, reserved for patients whose etiology remains unclear.
#53 Causes Of Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Institute
https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/eri/about-epilepsy/causes/
Approximately 65% of people do not know the reason for their epilepsy. This is known as âidiopathic epilepsyâ. […] Different types of epilepsies have different causes, but in 65% of cases, the cause is not known. This is called âidiopathic epilepsyâ. Treatment pathways for people with idiopathic epilepsy can be complex. […] For the remaining 35% of cases, some of the common causes contributing to the development of epilepsy include: […] Either an inherited genetic tendency or a change or genetic mutation in a personâs genes can cause some types of epilepsy. […] When the brain has been injured, the brainâs structure or function might be altered causing abnormal electrical activity. […] There are also autoimmune disorders which affect multiple organ systems and frequently involve inflammation of the central nervous system, in which seizures are a core symptom.
#54 Epilepsy – symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatments | healthdirect
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/epilepsy
Epilepsy can be caused by your genes or anything that damages the brain, including injury, stroke or infection. […] The cause of epilepsy is unknown in half of all cases. Genetics (family history) is known to play an important role. […] Seizures or epilepsy can also be caused by anything that damages the brain, including: head injury or trauma, stroke or brain haemorrhage (bleed), brain infection or inflammation, such as meningitis, encephalitis or a brain abscess, brain malformations or tumours, brain diseases, such as Alzheimers disease, alcohol or drug use, high or low blood sugar and other biochemical imbalances. […] It may take years after an injury for seizures to develop.
#55 Causes of Epilepsy – UChicago Medicine
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/neurology-neurosurgery/epilepsy-seizures/causes
There are many causes of epilepsy. Generally, the causes of epilepsy can be classified into three broad categories: genetic, cryptogenic and other. […] A mutation in a persons genes can put him or her at risk of developing epilepsy. […] Experts believe that, in many cases, genetic predisposition combined with environmental conditions lead to epilepsy. About 30 to 40 percent of epilepsy is caused by genetic predisposition. […] In about half of all cases of epilepsy, doctors are unable to pinpoint an exact, identifiable cause. […] When doctors dont know the cause of epilepsy or cant determine the cause with certainty, they consider it cryptogenic epilepsy. […] Some people develop epilepsy after a car accident or other traumatic head injury. […] Brain conditions, such as vascular malformations, brain tumors and strokes, can damage the brain. That brain damage can cause epilepsy. Damage from a stroke is the leading cause of epilepsy in adults over the age of 35.
#56 Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and Risks Explored
https://lonestarneurology.net/seizures/epilepsy-symptoms-and-causes/
The causes for symptomatic epilepsy can be associated with various brain damage: […] An important role belongs to hereditary predisposition. It has been noted that in those families with relatives who have epilepsy, the likelihood of developing epilepsy in a child is higher than in those families where the relatives do not have diseases. […] At the same time, the opinion that epilepsy is necessarily inherited is erroneous. In the vast majority of cases, epilepsy is not a hereditary disease. […] Many forms of epilepsy are caused by a combination of genetic and acquired factors. […] There are also cases where it is not possible to determine the cause of epilepsy using magnetic resonance. Such epilepsy is called idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy. […] It may be caused by hidden genetic diseases. […] The first attack in patients suffering from this disease usually occurs at 14 years. […] It is often assumed that epilepsy originated at the genetic level.
#57 What Causes Epilepsy? | Epilepsy FoundationFacebookInstagramTwitterPhoneEmailFacebookInstagramTwitter
https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/understanding-epilepsy/about-epilepsy/what-causes-epilepsy/
There are many causes of epilepsy. For almost 60% of people diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause of their seizures is not immediately known and further investigation are needed to determine the underlying cause. This is sometimes called âidiopathicâ epilepsy. Modern investigations and technologies such as improved medical imaging and genetic testing are revealing causes in more and more patients. […] Some of the causes of epilepsy could include: Brain abnormalities that occur in utero (before birth) […] Low oxygen during birth […] Brain injury, such as after a traumatic head injury […] Brain infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis […] Stroke, which can lead to scarring of the brain […] Brain tumour, either benign or malignant […] Low blood glucose can impair the brainâs ability to function
#58 What causes epilepsy? | Epilepsy Society
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/about-epilepsy/what-epilepsy/causes-epilepsy
Different epilepsies are due to many different underlying causes. The causes can be complex, and sometimes hard to identify. A person might start having seizures because they have one or more of the following. […] Some researchers now believe that the chance of developing epilepsy is probably always genetic to some extent, in that any person who starts having seizures has always had some level of genetic likelihood to do so. This level can range from high to low and anywhere in between. […] Even if seizures start after a brain injury or other structural change, this may be due to both the structural change and the person’s genetic tendency to seizures, combined. This makes sense if we consider that many people might have a similar brain injury, but not all of them develop epilepsy afterwards.
#59 Epilepsy and Seizures: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1184846-overview
Epilepsy is defined as a brain disorder characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiologic, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition. […] Epileptic seizures have many causes, including a genetic predisposition for certain types of seizures, head trauma, stroke, brain tumors, alcohol or drug withdrawal, repeated episodes of metabolic insults, such as hypoglycemia, and other conditions. […] In a substantial number of cases, the cause of epilepsy remains unknown. Identified causes tend to vary with patient age. Inherited syndromes, congenital brain malformations, infection, and head trauma are leading causes in children. Head trauma is the most common known cause in young adults. Strokes, tumors, and head trauma become more frequent in middle age, with stroke becoming the most common cause in the elderly, along with Alzheimer disease and other degenerative conditions.
#60 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#61
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
Epilepsy is not contagious. Although many underlying disease mechanisms can lead to epilepsy, the cause of the disease is still unknown in about 50% of cases globally. The causes of epilepsy are divided into the following categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown. Examples include: […] brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes (e.g. a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth, low birth weight); […] congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions with associated brain malformations; […] a severe head injury; […] a stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain; […] an infection of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis; […] certain genetic syndromes; and […] a brain tumour.
#62 What Causes Epilepsy? | Epilepsy FoundationFacebookInstagramTwitterPhoneEmailFacebookInstagramTwitter
https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/understanding-epilepsy/about-epilepsy/what-causes-epilepsy/
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimerâs disease […] Another condition which increases the likelihood of developing epilepsy, such as Cerebral Palsy or Down syndrome. […] Events such as illness, flashing lights, stress, or sleep deprivation can trigger seizures in people who have epilepsy.
#63 Types of Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders in Children | NYU Langone Health
https://nyulangone.org/conditions/epilepsy-seizure-disorders-in-children/types
A brain disorder or injury, such as birth trauma with oxygen deprivation, precedes these seizures in 60 percent of infants who have this condition. […] Dravet syndrome is a severe type of epilepsy syndrome often resulting from a gene mutation that causes abnormalities in sodium channels in the brain, which play a role in nerve cell communication. […] Many disorders that affect the structure and function of the brain in early life can lead to epilepsy, causing seizures in children. […] Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in multiple organs of the body, such as the brain, skin, kidneys, lungs, and heart. When these tumors are in the brain, they trigger seizures. […] Seizures occur in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a congenital neurological disorder, due to abnormalities in the blood vessels lining the brain.
#64
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
Epilepsy is not contagious. Although many underlying disease mechanisms can lead to epilepsy, the cause of the disease is still unknown in about 50% of cases globally. The causes of epilepsy are divided into the following categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown. Examples include: […] brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes (e.g. a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth, low birth weight); […] congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions with associated brain malformations; […] a severe head injury; […] a stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain; […] an infection of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis; […] certain genetic syndromes; and […] a brain tumour.
#65 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis and some parasitic infections can cause epilepsy. […] Before they’re born, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors. They might include an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or not enough oxygen. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy. […] Epilepsy can sometimes occur with developmental conditions. People with autism are more likely to have epilepsy than are people without autism. Research also has found that people with epilepsy are more likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions. Having both conditions may be related to genes.
#66 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
Some types of epilepsy are linked to metabolic disorders, which are usually inherited genetically. Symptoms usually present in infancy or early childhood. […] Structural causes refer to epilepsy that is caused by an abnormality in the structure of the brain. These structural causes can be congenital conditions that someone is born with, or acquired causes, such as head injury, stroke, or a brain tumor. […] In newborns, epilepsy can be caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, problems with metabolism, maternal drug use, bleeding in the brain, or insufficient levels of sugar, calcium, or magnesium in their bloodstream. […] In babies and small children, epilepsy can be induced by fever, infections, or brain tumors. […] Children and adults may have epilepsy brought on by head trauma, brain disease, genetic factors, or congenital conditions such as Down’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis, or tuberous sclerosis. […] Older adults may have epilepsy as a result of head trauma, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease. If diagnosed with epilepsy, it may be pertinent to find help or a solution for care in case of injury.
#67 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
Some types of epilepsy are linked to metabolic disorders, which are usually inherited genetically. Symptoms usually present in infancy or early childhood. […] Structural causes refer to epilepsy that is caused by an abnormality in the structure of the brain. These structural causes can be congenital conditions that someone is born with, or acquired causes, such as head injury, stroke, or a brain tumor. […] In newborns, epilepsy can be caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, problems with metabolism, maternal drug use, bleeding in the brain, or insufficient levels of sugar, calcium, or magnesium in their bloodstream. […] In babies and small children, epilepsy can be induced by fever, infections, or brain tumors. […] Children and adults may have epilepsy brought on by head trauma, brain disease, genetic factors, or congenital conditions such as Down’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis, or tuberous sclerosis. […] Older adults may have epilepsy as a result of head trauma, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease. If diagnosed with epilepsy, it may be pertinent to find help or a solution for care in case of injury.
#68 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Epileptic-Seizure-Causes.aspx
High fever in some children may lead to convulsions or seizures called febrile convulsions. […] Disorders that affect the cavernous sinus, a blood-filled space that contains the carotid artery may cause headaches, brain haemorrhages and seizures. […] A condition called cerebral arteriovenous malformation, a deformity of the arteries and veins in the brain, commonly causes headaches and seizures. […] A severe fall in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or a severe lack of oxygen in the body (hypoxia) can lead to seizures. […] Neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis may also cause seizures. […] Brain tumours, cancers and abscesses may also increase the risk of seizures by causing blockages and a build up of fluid in the brain referred to as hydrocephalus, which is a common cause of seizures. […] Brain damage caused by stroke can lead to epilepsy and is more likely to occur in a person who has suffered a hemorrhagic stroke rather than an ischemic stroke. […] Brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis can provoke seizures.
#69 Types of Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders in Children | NYU Langone Health
https://nyulangone.org/conditions/epilepsy-seizure-disorders-in-children/types
Symptoms of FOXG1 syndrome typically develop in the second month of life and include irritability and seizures. […] Seizures, which may be difficult to control, typically develop between the ages of 6 months and 9 years. […] Symptoms may include seizures, starting as early as infancy or as late as the teen years.
#70 Epilepsy: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include: […] Some types of epilepsy (like juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy) are more likely to run in families (inherited). Researchers believe that although there’s some evidence that specific genes are involved, the genes only increase the risk of epilepsy, and other factors may be involved. […] Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls or any blow to the head. […] Infections can include brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis. […] Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy. […] Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications. […] People with a metabolic condition (how your body obtains energy for normal functions) can have epilepsy. […] Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
#71 Epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
Meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis and some parasitic infections can cause epilepsy. […] Before they’re born, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors. They might include an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or not enough oxygen. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy. […] Epilepsy can sometimes occur with developmental conditions. People with autism are more likely to have epilepsy than are people without autism. Research also has found that people with epilepsy are more likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions. Having both conditions may be related to genes.
#72 Causes of Epilepsy – UChicago Medicine
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/neurology-neurosurgery/epilepsy-seizures/causes
Babies are very sensitive to brain damage while they are in their mothers womb. Certain factors can lead to brain damage that can result in epilepsy or other conditions (like cerebral palsy). […] Meningitis, viral encephalitis and HIV/AIDs all have the potential to cause epilepsy. […] Some people with developmental disorders, like autism or neurofibromatosis (NF), also have epilepsy.
#73 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
Some types of epilepsy are linked to metabolic disorders, which are usually inherited genetically. Symptoms usually present in infancy or early childhood. […] Structural causes refer to epilepsy that is caused by an abnormality in the structure of the brain. These structural causes can be congenital conditions that someone is born with, or acquired causes, such as head injury, stroke, or a brain tumor. […] In newborns, epilepsy can be caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, problems with metabolism, maternal drug use, bleeding in the brain, or insufficient levels of sugar, calcium, or magnesium in their bloodstream. […] In babies and small children, epilepsy can be induced by fever, infections, or brain tumors. […] Children and adults may have epilepsy brought on by head trauma, brain disease, genetic factors, or congenital conditions such as Down’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis, or tuberous sclerosis. […] Older adults may have epilepsy as a result of head trauma, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease. If diagnosed with epilepsy, it may be pertinent to find help or a solution for care in case of injury.
#74 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
Some types of epilepsy are linked to metabolic disorders, which are usually inherited genetically. Symptoms usually present in infancy or early childhood. […] Structural causes refer to epilepsy that is caused by an abnormality in the structure of the brain. These structural causes can be congenital conditions that someone is born with, or acquired causes, such as head injury, stroke, or a brain tumor. […] In newborns, epilepsy can be caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, problems with metabolism, maternal drug use, bleeding in the brain, or insufficient levels of sugar, calcium, or magnesium in their bloodstream. […] In babies and small children, epilepsy can be induced by fever, infections, or brain tumors. […] Children and adults may have epilepsy brought on by head trauma, brain disease, genetic factors, or congenital conditions such as Down’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis, or tuberous sclerosis. […] Older adults may have epilepsy as a result of head trauma, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease. If diagnosed with epilepsy, it may be pertinent to find help or a solution for care in case of injury.
#75 What Causes Epilepsy? – Premier Neurology & Wellness Center
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/what-causes-epilepsy/
Some types of epilepsy are linked to metabolic disorders, which are usually inherited genetically. Symptoms usually present in infancy or early childhood. […] Structural causes refer to epilepsy that is caused by an abnormality in the structure of the brain. These structural causes can be congenital conditions that someone is born with, or acquired causes, such as head injury, stroke, or a brain tumor. […] In newborns, epilepsy can be caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, problems with metabolism, maternal drug use, bleeding in the brain, or insufficient levels of sugar, calcium, or magnesium in their bloodstream. […] In babies and small children, epilepsy can be induced by fever, infections, or brain tumors. […] Children and adults may have epilepsy brought on by head trauma, brain disease, genetic factors, or congenital conditions such as Down’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis, or tuberous sclerosis. […] Older adults may have epilepsy as a result of head trauma, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease. If diagnosed with epilepsy, it may be pertinent to find help or a solution for care in case of injury.
#76 Types of Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders in Children | NYU Langone Health
https://nyulangone.org/conditions/epilepsy-seizure-disorders-in-children/types
A brain disorder or injury, such as birth trauma with oxygen deprivation, precedes these seizures in 60 percent of infants who have this condition. […] Dravet syndrome is a severe type of epilepsy syndrome often resulting from a gene mutation that causes abnormalities in sodium channels in the brain, which play a role in nerve cell communication. […] Many disorders that affect the structure and function of the brain in early life can lead to epilepsy, causing seizures in children. […] Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in multiple organs of the body, such as the brain, skin, kidneys, lungs, and heart. When these tumors are in the brain, they trigger seizures. […] Seizures occur in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a congenital neurological disorder, due to abnormalities in the blood vessels lining the brain.
#77 Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and Risks Explored
https://lonestarneurology.net/seizures/epilepsy-symptoms-and-causes/
The causes for symptomatic epilepsy can be associated with various brain damage: […] An important role belongs to hereditary predisposition. It has been noted that in those families with relatives who have epilepsy, the likelihood of developing epilepsy in a child is higher than in those families where the relatives do not have diseases. […] At the same time, the opinion that epilepsy is necessarily inherited is erroneous. In the vast majority of cases, epilepsy is not a hereditary disease. […] Many forms of epilepsy are caused by a combination of genetic and acquired factors. […] There are also cases where it is not possible to determine the cause of epilepsy using magnetic resonance. Such epilepsy is called idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy. […] It may be caused by hidden genetic diseases. […] The first attack in patients suffering from this disease usually occurs at 14 years. […] It is often assumed that epilepsy originated at the genetic level.
#78 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#79 Epilepsy Causes and Common Seizure Symptoms
https://www.verywellhealth.com/epilepsy-causes-risk-factors-1204427
Infections that affect the brain can lead to epilepsy by causing inflammation, scarring, or structural damage. […] Some developmental disorders raise the risk of epilepsy because of brain differences, genetic causes, or problems with brain signals. […] Alcohol and drugs can trigger seizures and, in some cases, contribute to epilepsy. […] In many cases, the cause of epilepsy is unknown.
#80 Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and Risks Explored
https://lonestarneurology.net/seizures/epilepsy-symptoms-and-causes/
The causes for symptomatic epilepsy can be associated with various brain damage: […] An important role belongs to hereditary predisposition. It has been noted that in those families with relatives who have epilepsy, the likelihood of developing epilepsy in a child is higher than in those families where the relatives do not have diseases. […] At the same time, the opinion that epilepsy is necessarily inherited is erroneous. In the vast majority of cases, epilepsy is not a hereditary disease. […] Many forms of epilepsy are caused by a combination of genetic and acquired factors. […] There are also cases where it is not possible to determine the cause of epilepsy using magnetic resonance. Such epilepsy is called idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy. […] It may be caused by hidden genetic diseases. […] The first attack in patients suffering from this disease usually occurs at 14 years. […] It is often assumed that epilepsy originated at the genetic level.
#81 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#82 Adult Seizures: What Causes Them for the First Time?
https://www.health.com/mind-body/6-things-that-can-trigger-a-seizure-even-if-you-dont-have-epilepsy
TBIs can lead to seizures and other symptoms like headache or speech and memory difficulties. TBIs usually require immediate medical attention, especially within 24 hours of the injury. Severe cases can cause permanent disability or be potentially fatal. […] Seizures might occur within the first week of a TBI. This can lead to developing a type of epilepsy later on, known as post-traumatic epilepsy.
#83 Seizure Disorders – Neurologic Disorders – MSD Manual Professional Edition
https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/seizure-disorders/seizure-disorders
Many patients have a history of damage to the nervous system, developmental delay, abnormal neurologic examination results, and other types of seizures. […] Causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome include brain malformations, tuberous sclerosis, perinatal asphyxia, severe head injury, central nervous system infection, and hereditary genetic and degenerative or metabolic disorders. […] If seizures begin 1 week after head injury, long-term treatment with medications is required.
#84 Epilepsy and Seizures: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1184846-overview
Epilepsy is defined as a brain disorder characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiologic, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition. […] Epileptic seizures have many causes, including a genetic predisposition for certain types of seizures, head trauma, stroke, brain tumors, alcohol or drug withdrawal, repeated episodes of metabolic insults, such as hypoglycemia, and other conditions. […] In a substantial number of cases, the cause of epilepsy remains unknown. Identified causes tend to vary with patient age. Inherited syndromes, congenital brain malformations, infection, and head trauma are leading causes in children. Head trauma is the most common known cause in young adults. Strokes, tumors, and head trauma become more frequent in middle age, with stroke becoming the most common cause in the elderly, along with Alzheimer disease and other degenerative conditions.
#85 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#86 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#87 Seizure: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22789-seizure
Seizure causes fall into two main categories depending on why they happen: Provoked seizures (nonepileptic): A trigger, which could be a temporary condition or certain circumstances, causes seizure symptoms to happen. Unprovoked seizures (epileptic): Seizures happen spontaneously (randomly). They may happen often. These seizures are the primary symptom of epilepsy. […] Seizures can happen for many different reasons. These include but arent limited to the following: Aneurysms. Brain tumors. Cerebral hypoxia. Cerebrovascular disease. Diabetes. Severe concussion and traumatic brain injury, especially ones with loss of consciousness. Degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimers disease or frontotemporal dementia. Eclampsia. Electrolyte problems, especially low sodium (hyponatremia), calcium or magnesium. Epilepsy (seizures that happen frequently without any clear, underlying cause). Genetic conditions.
#88 Seizure: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22789-seizure
Seizure causes fall into two main categories depending on why they happen: Provoked seizures (nonepileptic): A trigger, which could be a temporary condition or certain circumstances, causes seizure symptoms to happen. Unprovoked seizures (epileptic): Seizures happen spontaneously (randomly). They may happen often. These seizures are the primary symptom of epilepsy. […] Seizures can happen for many different reasons. These include but arent limited to the following: Aneurysms. Brain tumors. Cerebral hypoxia. Cerebrovascular disease. Diabetes. Severe concussion and traumatic brain injury, especially ones with loss of consciousness. Degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimers disease or frontotemporal dementia. Eclampsia. Electrolyte problems, especially low sodium (hyponatremia), calcium or magnesium. Epilepsy (seizures that happen frequently without any clear, underlying cause). Genetic conditions.
#89 Seizure – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure
In provoked seizures (e.g., due to trauma, metabolic insults, or infections), acute disturbances in ionic gradients, neurotransmitter release, and neuronal membrane stability may transiently lower the threshold for seizure activity. […] Scarring of brain tissue (gliosis), neuronal death, and shrinking of areas of the brain (atrophy) are linked to recurrent seizures. […] These changes may lead to the development of epilepsy, in a process called epileptogenesis.
#90 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#91 Causes | Epilepsy FoundationFacebookInstagramTwitterPhoneEmailFacebookInstagramTwitter
https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/managing-epilepsy/later-years-and-epilepsy/causes/
It is very important that the cause of your seizures is properly investigated, as this will help determine the appropriate management and support you may need. […] Approximately one-third of seizures in older adults will have no known causes. However, where a cause is identified, some common conditions associated with epilepsy and seizures in the later years include: […] Stroke: This is one of the greatest contributors to an epilepsy diagnosis in later years. Epilepsy can arise from damage caused to brain tissue as a result of the stroke. This may disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, resulting in seizures. […] Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): Similar to a stroke, damage to brain tissue, or the scar tissue following an ABI may predispose someone to developing epilepsy. ABI is an umbrella term that refers to injury to the brain following a range of events, including stroke, lack of oxygen to the brain and degenerative neurological conditions. A brain injury that arises following an accident or blow to the head is termed a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). […] Tumours: Tumours in the brain can disrupt normal electrical and chemical functions, resulting in seizures. […] Degenerative conditions: This typically refers to dementia conditions, such as Alzheimerâs disease, which affect brain tissue and functioning.
#92 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#93 What Causes Epilepsy? | Epilepsy FoundationFacebookInstagramTwitterPhoneEmailFacebookInstagramTwitter
https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/understanding-epilepsy/about-epilepsy/what-causes-epilepsy/
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimerâs disease […] Another condition which increases the likelihood of developing epilepsy, such as Cerebral Palsy or Down syndrome. […] Events such as illness, flashing lights, stress, or sleep deprivation can trigger seizures in people who have epilepsy.
#94 Late-Onset Epilepsy
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2022-oct/late-onset-epilepsy
Seizures are the most common presenting symptom of brain tumors and brain metastases, both of which increase in incidence with age. […] Over one-third of LOE has no structural cause identified. […] There is evidence suggesting that LOUE may be related to cerebrovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, which are all known to interact with one another. […] Sleep apnea increases epilepsy risk 1.5 times and, conversely, obstructive sleep apnea occurs at higher frequency in people with LOUE compared with the general population. […] The incidence of epilepsy increases markedly after age 60, and the prevalence of LOE at age 75 is twice that of other stages of adulthood. Although LOE most often has structural causes, up to 30% has an unidentifiable cause. LOUE may be the harbinger of occult cerebrovascular disease; prodromal dementia; sleep apnea; or unidentified brain cancer, metastases, or paraneoplastic disease.
#95 Late-Onset Epilepsy
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2022-oct/late-onset-epilepsy
Seizures are the most common presenting symptom of brain tumors and brain metastases, both of which increase in incidence with age. […] Over one-third of LOE has no structural cause identified. […] There is evidence suggesting that LOUE may be related to cerebrovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, which are all known to interact with one another. […] Sleep apnea increases epilepsy risk 1.5 times and, conversely, obstructive sleep apnea occurs at higher frequency in people with LOUE compared with the general population. […] The incidence of epilepsy increases markedly after age 60, and the prevalence of LOE at age 75 is twice that of other stages of adulthood. Although LOE most often has structural causes, up to 30% has an unidentifiable cause. LOUE may be the harbinger of occult cerebrovascular disease; prodromal dementia; sleep apnea; or unidentified brain cancer, metastases, or paraneoplastic disease.
#96 Late-Onset Epilepsy
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2022-oct/late-onset-epilepsy
Seizures are the most common presenting symptom of brain tumors and brain metastases, both of which increase in incidence with age. […] Over one-third of LOE has no structural cause identified. […] There is evidence suggesting that LOUE may be related to cerebrovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, which are all known to interact with one another. […] Sleep apnea increases epilepsy risk 1.5 times and, conversely, obstructive sleep apnea occurs at higher frequency in people with LOUE compared with the general population. […] The incidence of epilepsy increases markedly after age 60, and the prevalence of LOE at age 75 is twice that of other stages of adulthood. Although LOE most often has structural causes, up to 30% has an unidentifiable cause. LOUE may be the harbinger of occult cerebrovascular disease; prodromal dementia; sleep apnea; or unidentified brain cancer, metastases, or paraneoplastic disease.
#97 Late-Onset Epilepsy
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2022-oct/late-onset-epilepsy
Seizures are the most common presenting symptom of brain tumors and brain metastases, both of which increase in incidence with age. […] Over one-third of LOE has no structural cause identified. […] There is evidence suggesting that LOUE may be related to cerebrovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, which are all known to interact with one another. […] Sleep apnea increases epilepsy risk 1.5 times and, conversely, obstructive sleep apnea occurs at higher frequency in people with LOUE compared with the general population. […] The incidence of epilepsy increases markedly after age 60, and the prevalence of LOE at age 75 is twice that of other stages of adulthood. Although LOE most often has structural causes, up to 30% has an unidentifiable cause. LOUE may be the harbinger of occult cerebrovascular disease; prodromal dementia; sleep apnea; or unidentified brain cancer, metastases, or paraneoplastic disease.
#98 Seizure triggers – Epilepsy Action
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers
Seizure triggers are things that make seizures more likely in people with epilepsy. Theyre not usually the same as things that cause, or increase your risk of developing epilepsy. […] Some people with epilepsy have reflex seizures. These are when you have a seizure every time, or almost every time, you come across a certain trigger. These are a lot less common than other types of triggers. […] Some people report theyre more likely to have seizures when they have a high temperature due to an infection. This can be a particularly common seizure trigger in children. It might be a more common trigger in people who have focal seizures. […] Some people with epilepsy find that they are more likely to have seizures at certain times of their period (menstrual cycle). Theres some evidence this might be more likely to affect you if you have focal seizures.
#99 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures that were not caused by some known medical condition, such as alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar. […] Epileptic seizures may be tied to a brain injury or genetics, but for 70 percent of epilepsy patients, the cause is unknown. […] The reasons why epilepsy begins are different for people of different ages. But what is known is that the cause is undetermined for about half of all individuals with epilepsy, regardless of age. […] Some partial seizures are related to head injury, brain infection, stroke or tumor but, in most cases, the cause is unknown. […] The following factors may increase the risk of seizures in people predisposed to seizures: Stress, Sleep deprivation or fatigue, Insufficient food intake, Alcohol use or drug abuse, Failure to take prescribed anticonvulsant medications.
#100 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Epileptic-Seizure-Causes.aspx
Epilepsy is the general term used to describe a condition where people suffer from seizures. In many cases, the exact cause of this condition is not known and no trigger for a seizure can be identified. […] However, some common triggers of epilepsy that have been identified include: […] Prolonged Sleep Deprivation In many individuals with epilepsy, sleep deprivation for prolonged periods may precipitate seizures. […] Injury or trauma to the head that causes brain damage can cause recurrent seizures and is referred to as post-traumatic epilepsy. […] Certain drugs of abuse and medications that act on the central nervous system may precipitate seizures. The seizure threshold may be lowered with the use of certain drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants. Also, stopping the use of certain drugs or alcohol may result in withdrawal symptoms, one of which may be seizure.
#101 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures that were not caused by some known medical condition, such as alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar. […] Epileptic seizures may be tied to a brain injury or genetics, but for 70 percent of epilepsy patients, the cause is unknown. […] The reasons why epilepsy begins are different for people of different ages. But what is known is that the cause is undetermined for about half of all individuals with epilepsy, regardless of age. […] Some partial seizures are related to head injury, brain infection, stroke or tumor but, in most cases, the cause is unknown. […] The following factors may increase the risk of seizures in people predisposed to seizures: Stress, Sleep deprivation or fatigue, Insufficient food intake, Alcohol use or drug abuse, Failure to take prescribed anticonvulsant medications.
#102 Seizure Causes -Orlando Epilepsy Center
https://orlando-epilepsy.com/seizure-causes-explained/
Metabolic disturbances can disrupt the balance of chemicals and electrolytes within the body, affecting the brains electrical activity. […] There are some kinds of medications, that can cause seizures when used incorrectly, such as overdosing on some antidepressants, antipsychotics, and opioids. […] Excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse are significant risk factors for seizures, as long-term alcohol abuse can result in a condition called alcohol withdrawal seizures, which happen when someone who excessively consumes alcohol suddenly stops or cuts down their alcohol intake. […] Traumatic brain injuries resulting from falls, accidents, or sports-related incidents can disrupt the brains normal function and lead to seizures. […] One of the most common seizure causes is stress and sleep deprivation. Stress and lack of sleep can lower the seizure threshold, making individuals more vulnerable to seizures. […] Seizures are complex neurological events that can result from a wide range of causes. Epilepsy, brain abnormalities, infections, metabolic disturbances, medications, substance abuse, head injuries, febrile seizures, stress, and sleep deprivation are all seizure causes.
#103 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures that were not caused by some known medical condition, such as alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar. […] Epileptic seizures may be tied to a brain injury or genetics, but for 70 percent of epilepsy patients, the cause is unknown. […] The reasons why epilepsy begins are different for people of different ages. But what is known is that the cause is undetermined for about half of all individuals with epilepsy, regardless of age. […] Some partial seizures are related to head injury, brain infection, stroke or tumor but, in most cases, the cause is unknown. […] The following factors may increase the risk of seizures in people predisposed to seizures: Stress, Sleep deprivation or fatigue, Insufficient food intake, Alcohol use or drug abuse, Failure to take prescribed anticonvulsant medications.
#104 Seizure Causes -Orlando Epilepsy Center
https://orlando-epilepsy.com/seizure-causes-explained/
Metabolic disturbances can disrupt the balance of chemicals and electrolytes within the body, affecting the brains electrical activity. […] There are some kinds of medications, that can cause seizures when used incorrectly, such as overdosing on some antidepressants, antipsychotics, and opioids. […] Excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse are significant risk factors for seizures, as long-term alcohol abuse can result in a condition called alcohol withdrawal seizures, which happen when someone who excessively consumes alcohol suddenly stops or cuts down their alcohol intake. […] Traumatic brain injuries resulting from falls, accidents, or sports-related incidents can disrupt the brains normal function and lead to seizures. […] One of the most common seizure causes is stress and sleep deprivation. Stress and lack of sleep can lower the seizure threshold, making individuals more vulnerable to seizures. […] Seizures are complex neurological events that can result from a wide range of causes. Epilepsy, brain abnormalities, infections, metabolic disturbances, medications, substance abuse, head injuries, febrile seizures, stress, and sleep deprivation are all seizure causes.
#105 Seizure triggers – Epilepsy Action
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers
Seizure triggers are things that make seizures more likely in people with epilepsy. Theyre not usually the same as things that cause, or increase your risk of developing epilepsy. […] Some people with epilepsy have reflex seizures. These are when you have a seizure every time, or almost every time, you come across a certain trigger. These are a lot less common than other types of triggers. […] Some people report theyre more likely to have seizures when they have a high temperature due to an infection. This can be a particularly common seizure trigger in children. It might be a more common trigger in people who have focal seizures. […] Some people with epilepsy find that they are more likely to have seizures at certain times of their period (menstrual cycle). Theres some evidence this might be more likely to affect you if you have focal seizures.
#106 Seizure triggers – Epilepsy Action
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers
Seizure triggers are things that make seizures more likely in people with epilepsy. Theyre not usually the same as things that cause, or increase your risk of developing epilepsy. […] Some people with epilepsy have reflex seizures. These are when you have a seizure every time, or almost every time, you come across a certain trigger. These are a lot less common than other types of triggers. […] Some people report theyre more likely to have seizures when they have a high temperature due to an infection. This can be a particularly common seizure trigger in children. It might be a more common trigger in people who have focal seizures. […] Some people with epilepsy find that they are more likely to have seizures at certain times of their period (menstrual cycle). Theres some evidence this might be more likely to affect you if you have focal seizures.
#107 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Epileptic-Seizure-Causes.aspx
Epilepsy is the general term used to describe a condition where people suffer from seizures. In many cases, the exact cause of this condition is not known and no trigger for a seizure can be identified. […] However, some common triggers of epilepsy that have been identified include: […] Prolonged Sleep Deprivation In many individuals with epilepsy, sleep deprivation for prolonged periods may precipitate seizures. […] Injury or trauma to the head that causes brain damage can cause recurrent seizures and is referred to as post-traumatic epilepsy. […] Certain drugs of abuse and medications that act on the central nervous system may precipitate seizures. The seizure threshold may be lowered with the use of certain drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants. Also, stopping the use of certain drugs or alcohol may result in withdrawal symptoms, one of which may be seizure.
#108 Seizure triggers – Epilepsy Action
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers
Recreational drugs include illegal drugs and legal highs. There is no control over what goes into these drugs. They can be dangerous and they can trigger seizures. […] About 3 to 5 in every 100 people with epilepsy (3-5%) have seizures that are triggered by flashing or flickering lights. This is called photosensitive epilepsy. […] There are lots of other factors that people report as possible triggers. A lot of the time, there is little evidence to say for certain whether these things do definitely trigger seizures.
#109 Epilepsy Causes and Seizure Triggers | UPMC HealthBeat
https://share.upmc.com/2015/06/epilepsy-causes-triggers/
Epilepsy is defined as an interruption in the electrical activity in the brain that disrupts its normal function. This disruption causes seizures. A person is considered to have epilepsy if they have at least two unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart. […] Certain conditions can upset the electrical activity in the brain leading to and causing epileptic seizures. Common causes of seizures include: Head injury. Stroke. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the brain. Brain tumor or lesion. Infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis. Alzheimers disease. Withdrawal from alcohol or drugs. […] In some cases, you may not find the exact cause of seizures or antiseizure or antiepilepsy medicines may not prevent every seizure. It’s important to find out what triggers a seizure as well as warning signs that you’re about to have one. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, common triggers for epilepsy include: Poor sleep being overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep, disrupted sleep. Illness (both with and without fever). Flashing bright lights or patterns. Alcohol use or alcohol withdrawal. Drug use, particularly cocaine and other recreational drugs like ecstasy. High levels of stress. Menstrual cycle or other hormonal changes. Not eating well or going a long time without eating. Dehydration, not enough fluids. Low blood sugar, particularly if you are living with diabetes. Specific foods such as too much caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures. Use of certain medicines or missing medicine doses. […] Learning your triggers and warning signs can help you gain more control over your seizure activity.
#110 Epilepsy Causes and Seizure Triggers | UPMC HealthBeat
https://share.upmc.com/2015/06/epilepsy-causes-triggers/
Epilepsy is defined as an interruption in the electrical activity in the brain that disrupts its normal function. This disruption causes seizures. A person is considered to have epilepsy if they have at least two unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart. […] Certain conditions can upset the electrical activity in the brain leading to and causing epileptic seizures. Common causes of seizures include: Head injury. Stroke. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the brain. Brain tumor or lesion. Infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis. Alzheimers disease. Withdrawal from alcohol or drugs. […] In some cases, you may not find the exact cause of seizures or antiseizure or antiepilepsy medicines may not prevent every seizure. It’s important to find out what triggers a seizure as well as warning signs that you’re about to have one. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, common triggers for epilepsy include: Poor sleep being overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep, disrupted sleep. Illness (both with and without fever). Flashing bright lights or patterns. Alcohol use or alcohol withdrawal. Drug use, particularly cocaine and other recreational drugs like ecstasy. High levels of stress. Menstrual cycle or other hormonal changes. Not eating well or going a long time without eating. Dehydration, not enough fluids. Low blood sugar, particularly if you are living with diabetes. Specific foods such as too much caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures. Use of certain medicines or missing medicine doses. […] Learning your triggers and warning signs can help you gain more control over your seizure activity.
#111 Seizure triggers – Epilepsy Action
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers
Recreational drugs include illegal drugs and legal highs. There is no control over what goes into these drugs. They can be dangerous and they can trigger seizures. […] About 3 to 5 in every 100 people with epilepsy (3-5%) have seizures that are triggered by flashing or flickering lights. This is called photosensitive epilepsy. […] There are lots of other factors that people report as possible triggers. A lot of the time, there is little evidence to say for certain whether these things do definitely trigger seizures.
#112 Seizure triggers – Epilepsy Action
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers
Seizure triggers are things that make seizures more likely in people with epilepsy. Theyre not usually the same as things that cause, or increase your risk of developing epilepsy. […] Some people with epilepsy have reflex seizures. These are when you have a seizure every time, or almost every time, you come across a certain trigger. These are a lot less common than other types of triggers. […] Some people report theyre more likely to have seizures when they have a high temperature due to an infection. This can be a particularly common seizure trigger in children. It might be a more common trigger in people who have focal seizures. […] Some people with epilepsy find that they are more likely to have seizures at certain times of their period (menstrual cycle). Theres some evidence this might be more likely to affect you if you have focal seizures.
#113 Seizure – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure
Causes: Seizures can occur for many reasons and are broadly classified based on whether they are provoked (acute symptomatic) or unprovoked. Identifying the underlying cause is critical for guiding treatment and assessing the risk of recurrence. […] Provoked seizures, also known as acute symptomatic seizures, occur in direct response to an identifiable, transient cause affecting brain function. Common causes include: […] Unprovoked seizures occur without an immediate precipitating event. These include spontaneous seizures and reflex seizures, which are consistently triggered by specific stimuli (e.g., flashing lights) but arise due to an enduring predisposition, not a transient cause. […] Causes and contexts for unprovoked seizures include: […] Seizures are the result of abnormal, excessive, and hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain. At a cellular level, they reflect a disruption of the normal balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission.
#114
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=20539&catId=113421&id=8506261&ind=86&objTypeID=17
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain characterized by recurrent seizures originating from the brain. […] Factors involved in epileptogenesis may be: e.g., neuroplasticity/synaptic plasticity, decreased GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) activity, increased glutamate activity, new formation of excitatory circuits, receptor alterations, ion channelopathies, dysfunction of glia cells, cortical dysgenesis, and primary brain disease causing seizures such as inflammatory or neoplastic disease. […] Epilepsy is classified into categories based on known or presumed aetiology. Structural epilepsy (former known as symptomatic epilepsy) refers to epilepsy caused by a known/identified disorder of the CNS (cerebral pathology identified with e.g., CT, MRI or CSF examination). The term suspected structural epilepsy is used if brain pathology is strongly suspected (based on anamnestic information or abnormal findings on the neurological examination or both, signaling a focal brain lesion), but has not been confirmed. Idiopathic epilepsy refers to epilepsy where no structural cerebral pathology is identified, and where an identified or suspected genetic component is involved in the aetiology. Finally, a number of epilepsies are of unexplained origin (epilepsy of unexplained origin). […] Note that epilepsy classification is continuously under revision and will be changed as our understanding of epilepsy aetiology in animals expand.
#115 Epilepsy: Definition, symptoms, treatment, causes, and more
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8947
According to one 2015 research review, around 70-80% of epilepsy cases occur as a result of genetics. […] A 2017 review of research linked over 900 genes to epilepsy. This number continues to grow as more studies take place. […] Genes may link to epilepsy directly, to brain anomalies that can lead to epilepsy, or to other genetic conditions that can cause seizures. […] Some risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, are modifiable when trying to prevent the development of epilepsy.
#116
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=20539&catId=113421&id=8506261&ind=86&objTypeID=17
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain characterized by recurrent seizures originating from the brain. […] Factors involved in epileptogenesis may be: e.g., neuroplasticity/synaptic plasticity, decreased GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) activity, increased glutamate activity, new formation of excitatory circuits, receptor alterations, ion channelopathies, dysfunction of glia cells, cortical dysgenesis, and primary brain disease causing seizures such as inflammatory or neoplastic disease. […] Epilepsy is classified into categories based on known or presumed aetiology. Structural epilepsy (former known as symptomatic epilepsy) refers to epilepsy caused by a known/identified disorder of the CNS (cerebral pathology identified with e.g., CT, MRI or CSF examination). The term suspected structural epilepsy is used if brain pathology is strongly suspected (based on anamnestic information or abnormal findings on the neurological examination or both, signaling a focal brain lesion), but has not been confirmed. Idiopathic epilepsy refers to epilepsy where no structural cerebral pathology is identified, and where an identified or suspected genetic component is involved in the aetiology. Finally, a number of epilepsies are of unexplained origin (epilepsy of unexplained origin). […] Note that epilepsy classification is continuously under revision and will be changed as our understanding of epilepsy aetiology in animals expand.
#117 Epilepsy | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/science/epilepsy
However, investigations of temporal lobe epilepsy have revealed that abnormal swelling of neuronal support cells known as astrocytes, which serve important functions in regulating neuron activity, may actually give rise to this form of seizure. […] As a result, astrocyte abnormalities have become of significant interest in understanding the pathology of other forms of epilepsy as well as other types of neurological disease. […] Studies measuring electric currents in the heart have demonstrated that some patients affected by tonic-clonic seizures experience abnormal cardiac rhythms either during or immediately after a seizure. […] In addition, genetic defects associated with epilepsy and abnormalities in heart function have been identified in families affected by both inherited epilepsy and SUDEP.
#118
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=20539&catId=113421&id=8506261&ind=86&objTypeID=17
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain characterized by recurrent seizures originating from the brain. […] Factors involved in epileptogenesis may be: e.g., neuroplasticity/synaptic plasticity, decreased GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) activity, increased glutamate activity, new formation of excitatory circuits, receptor alterations, ion channelopathies, dysfunction of glia cells, cortical dysgenesis, and primary brain disease causing seizures such as inflammatory or neoplastic disease. […] Epilepsy is classified into categories based on known or presumed aetiology. Structural epilepsy (former known as symptomatic epilepsy) refers to epilepsy caused by a known/identified disorder of the CNS (cerebral pathology identified with e.g., CT, MRI or CSF examination). The term suspected structural epilepsy is used if brain pathology is strongly suspected (based on anamnestic information or abnormal findings on the neurological examination or both, signaling a focal brain lesion), but has not been confirmed. Idiopathic epilepsy refers to epilepsy where no structural cerebral pathology is identified, and where an identified or suspected genetic component is involved in the aetiology. Finally, a number of epilepsies are of unexplained origin (epilepsy of unexplained origin). […] Note that epilepsy classification is continuously under revision and will be changed as our understanding of epilepsy aetiology in animals expand.
#119 What Causes Epilepsy and Seizures? Symptoms + Types
https://www.cureepilepsy.org/understanding-epilepsy/epilepsy-basics/what-causes-epilepsy/
When a patient has an infection in which seizures are a main symptom, they are considered to have an infectious etiology. […] A metabolic disorder occurs when the process by which the body makes energy is disrupted or performs abnormally. […] When your body recognizes a foreign agent (such as a virus), it protects itself by initiating an immune response. […] As the name implies, epilepsies with an unknown etiology have a cause that is not yet known. […] A seizure happens when a sudden, uncontrollable surge of electrical activity in the brain disrupts normal function.
#120 Epilepsy: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | SSM Health
https://www.ssmhealth.com/services/neurosciences/neurology-services/epilepsy
Epilepsy is condition that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. […] This common neurological disorder can affect people of all ages and has many causes. […] In general, epilepsy is often defined in two broad categories: generalized epilepsy and focal epilepsy. […] Generalized epilepsy is thought to be caused by a genetic predisposition, but can also result from brain infections, head injuries or lack of oxygen. […] Focal epilepsies are often caused by lesions in the brain and can usually be detected with an MRI scan. […] In some cases, the cause of your seizures may never be identified. […] The first step it to determine the type and cause of your epilepsy. […] Finding the most effective treatment for your epilepsy may take some trial and error.
#121 Seizure – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure
In provoked seizures (e.g., due to trauma, metabolic insults, or infections), acute disturbances in ionic gradients, neurotransmitter release, and neuronal membrane stability may transiently lower the threshold for seizure activity. […] Scarring of brain tissue (gliosis), neuronal death, and shrinking of areas of the brain (atrophy) are linked to recurrent seizures. […] These changes may lead to the development of epilepsy, in a process called epileptogenesis.
#122 Seizure – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure
In provoked seizures (e.g., due to trauma, metabolic insults, or infections), acute disturbances in ionic gradients, neurotransmitter release, and neuronal membrane stability may transiently lower the threshold for seizure activity. […] Scarring of brain tissue (gliosis), neuronal death, and shrinking of areas of the brain (atrophy) are linked to recurrent seizures. […] These changes may lead to the development of epilepsy, in a process called epileptogenesis.
#123 Seizure – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure
In provoked seizures (e.g., due to trauma, metabolic insults, or infections), acute disturbances in ionic gradients, neurotransmitter release, and neuronal membrane stability may transiently lower the threshold for seizure activity. […] Scarring of brain tissue (gliosis), neuronal death, and shrinking of areas of the brain (atrophy) are linked to recurrent seizures. […] These changes may lead to the development of epilepsy, in a process called epileptogenesis.
#124 Seizure – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure
In provoked seizures (e.g., due to trauma, metabolic insults, or infections), acute disturbances in ionic gradients, neurotransmitter release, and neuronal membrane stability may transiently lower the threshold for seizure activity. […] Scarring of brain tissue (gliosis), neuronal death, and shrinking of areas of the brain (atrophy) are linked to recurrent seizures. […] These changes may lead to the development of epilepsy, in a process called epileptogenesis.
#125 Childhood Epilepsy: Causes
https://www.massgeneral.org/children/epilepsy/education/causes
Some of the most common non-idiopathic causes of seizures in children are acquired, as opposed to being present at birth or developing as the result of genetic abnormalities. […] An insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain can cause seizures. […] Brain infections can cause seizures during acute stages of the infection. […] Both cancerous and benign brain tumors and other lesions can cause seizures. […] Scientists think that many of the genes linked to epilepsy are involved in mechanisms that regulate the flow of electrical charges into and out of nerve cells, thereby affecting their electrical excitability and overall seizure threshold.
#126 What Really Causes Epilepsy? A Trip to an Unknown Land
https://www.brainfacts.org/diseases-and-disorders/epilepsy/2020/what-really-causes-epilepsy-a-trip-to-an-unknown-land-102720
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting more than 50 million people worldwide! And its defined as the occurrence of multiple seizures due to malfunction of some neurons in the brain causing them to fire synchronously. […] There are multiple different causes of epilepsy from genetic disorders, to tumors, trauma, or even brain infection. Yet in most of the cases the cause remains unknown. […] Antiepileptic drugs work in multiple different ways such as enhancing the function of inhibitory neurons by increasing the production of GABA and amplifying its action. While some other drugs suppress the action of excitatory neurons by blocking the glutamate receptors (or action site). […] However, epilepsy can also be treated surgically when a specific cause for the seizures has been identified, such as a tumor or when the seizures are of the focal type and the neurons causing the disease are located.
#127 The aetiologies of epilepsy – PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33720020/
The identification of the aetiology of a patient’s epilepsy is instrumental in the diagnosis, prognostic counselling and management of the epilepsies. Indeed, the aetiology can be important for determining the recurrence risk of single seizures and so for making a diagnosis of epilepsy. Here, we divide the aetiologies into six categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune (all of which are part of the International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] classification system) and neurodegenerative (which we have considered separately because of its growing importance in epilepsy). […] Indeed, genetic factors probably play a role, to varying degrees, in the risk of seizures in all people with epilepsy. […] As we move towards precision medicine and targeted therapies, so aetiologies will play an even greater role in the management of epilepsy.
#128 Ovid – Causes of Epilepsy, The: Common and Uncommon Causes in Adults and Children | Wolters Kluwer
https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/causes-of-epilepsy-the-common-and-uncommon-causes-in-adults-and-children-15008
The definitive and unrivalled textbook on the causes of epilepsy, this extensively revised and expanded second edition provides concise descriptions of all the major genetic and acquired conditions that cause epilepsy in adults and children, and the provoking factors for epileptic seizures and of the causes of status epilepticus. […] The identification of the cause of an epileptic seizure is a key element in the clinical management of all patients. […] In recent decades, advances in theory, neuroimaging, molecular genetics and molecular chemistry have revolutionized our ability to investigate and identify the underlying cause. […] A new section in this edition considers clinical approaches to diagnosing causes to guide and assist clinicians in investigations.
#129 The Causes of Epilepsy
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/causes-of-epilepsy/E79F98A3802C181DD8A868248A468DAE
The identification of the cause of an epileptic seizure is a key element in the clinical management of all patients. […] In recent decades, advances in theory, neuroimaging, molecular genetics and molecular chemistry have revolutionized our ability to investigate and identify the underlying cause. […] It provides concise descriptions of all the major genetic and acquired conditions that cause epilepsy in adults and children, and the provoking factors for epileptic seizures and of the causes of status epilepticus. […] A new section considers clinical approaches to diagnosing causes, to guide and assist clinicians in investigations.
#130 The aetiologies of epilepsy – PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33720020/
The identification of the aetiology of a patient’s epilepsy is instrumental in the diagnosis, prognostic counselling and management of the epilepsies. Indeed, the aetiology can be important for determining the recurrence risk of single seizures and so for making a diagnosis of epilepsy. Here, we divide the aetiologies into six categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune (all of which are part of the International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] classification system) and neurodegenerative (which we have considered separately because of its growing importance in epilepsy). […] Indeed, genetic factors probably play a role, to varying degrees, in the risk of seizures in all people with epilepsy. […] As we move towards precision medicine and targeted therapies, so aetiologies will play an even greater role in the management of epilepsy.
#131 Causes | Epilepsy FoundationFacebookInstagramTwitterPhoneEmailFacebookInstagramTwitter
https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/managing-epilepsy/later-years-and-epilepsy/causes/
It is very important that the cause of your seizures is properly investigated, as this will help determine the appropriate management and support you may need. […] Approximately one-third of seizures in older adults will have no known causes. However, where a cause is identified, some common conditions associated with epilepsy and seizures in the later years include: […] Stroke: This is one of the greatest contributors to an epilepsy diagnosis in later years. Epilepsy can arise from damage caused to brain tissue as a result of the stroke. This may disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, resulting in seizures. […] Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): Similar to a stroke, damage to brain tissue, or the scar tissue following an ABI may predispose someone to developing epilepsy. ABI is an umbrella term that refers to injury to the brain following a range of events, including stroke, lack of oxygen to the brain and degenerative neurological conditions. A brain injury that arises following an accident or blow to the head is termed a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). […] Tumours: Tumours in the brain can disrupt normal electrical and chemical functions, resulting in seizures. […] Degenerative conditions: This typically refers to dementia conditions, such as Alzheimerâs disease, which affect brain tissue and functioning.
#132 Epilepsy – AANS
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/
A person is twice as likely to have another seizure if there is a known brain injury or other type of brain abnormality. […] If the first seizure occurred at the time of an injury or infection in the brain, it is more likely the patient will develop epilepsy than if the seizure did not happen at the time of injury or infection. […] Brain injury or infection can cause epilepsy at any age. […] Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. […] For middle-age individuals, strokes, tumors and injuries are more frequent catalysts. […] In people age 65 and older, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
#133 Epilepsy – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments & More – Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (ECoE)
https://www.epilepsy.va.gov/information/about.asp
Epilepsy is diagnosed by meeting with your neurologist and undergoing a series of basic tests. The first step is to review your medical history (including a detailed recounting of the seizures) with your physician. This physician will also conduct a thorough neurological examination. In most cases, an EEG (electroencephalogram) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test will be performed as well. You will meet with the physician after these tests to discuss your overall personal health situation. […] The mainstay of epilepsy therapy remains anti-seizure medications. Various medications have been used for decades, and they remain very effective for the majority of patients with epilepsy. In more recent years, medications with better side effect profiles and safer long-term records have been introduced.
#134 Epileptic Encephalopathy â Causes, Treatment & More | CHOC
https://choc.org/neuroscience/epilepsy-program/epileptic-encephalopathy/
Diagnosis of epileptic encephalopathies occurs in three stages that work together to inform treatment planning. The diagnostic stages include identification of an underlying cause, evaluation of a childâs seizures, and discovery of other medical issues that need to be addressed. […] Identifying the underlying cause of a childâs epilepsy is the best way to determine the appropriate treatment.
#135 Causes Of Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Institute
https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/eri/about-epilepsy/causes/
Structural is when there is a distinct abnormal structural cause present in the brain that is known to substantially increase the risk of seizures. This can be a congenital cause that a person is born with or can have a genetic component. These structural abnormalities often cause drug resistant epilepsy. Most of these causes can be seen on imaging of the brain with an MRI.
#136 Epilepsy – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments & More – Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (ECoE)
https://www.epilepsy.va.gov/information/about.asp
After several medications have failed to control a patient’s seizures that individual’s epilepsy is called refractory. Studies have shown that in cases of refractory epilepsy, medications are less likely to work. Surgery may help some of these patients, and seizures may come under control with the addition of surgery. For patients who are open to this option, a surgical evaluation may be initiated. […] Invasive monitoring is a term that refers to recording brain waves using electrodes placed in or on the surface of the brain. In rare cases when scalp recordings do not localize your seizures, intracranial electrodes may be necessary to acquire further information. This procedure involves undergoing surgery to place the electrode at various places on the surface of the brain. These electrodes allow your physicians to get much higher quality information than what normal scalp-based electrodes can detect.
#137 Epilepsy – causes of development, disease symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options
https://medconsonline.com/en/blog/epilepsy-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment
The goal of therapy is to reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures as much as possible. Some patients can experience single episodes of the disease that do not require treatment. […] Recurrent seizures require therapy with anticonvulsants. The regimens should be determined by specialized health care facilities, where the drug type and dosage can be selected carefully, taking into consideration a whole range of factors. […] If medicines fail to prevent epilepsy attacks, neurostimulation may be used. […] If conservative therapy fails, the remaining option is surgery. As a rule, it is performed if the condition is associated with focal brain lesions, since with a generalized form it is impossible to identify abnormal areas to be removed.
#138 Epilepsy – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments & More – Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (ECoE)
https://www.epilepsy.va.gov/information/about.asp
After several medications have failed to control a patient’s seizures that individual’s epilepsy is called refractory. Studies have shown that in cases of refractory epilepsy, medications are less likely to work. Surgery may help some of these patients, and seizures may come under control with the addition of surgery. For patients who are open to this option, a surgical evaluation may be initiated. […] Invasive monitoring is a term that refers to recording brain waves using electrodes placed in or on the surface of the brain. In rare cases when scalp recordings do not localize your seizures, intracranial electrodes may be necessary to acquire further information. This procedure involves undergoing surgery to place the electrode at various places on the surface of the brain. These electrodes allow your physicians to get much higher quality information than what normal scalp-based electrodes can detect.
#139 The Causes of Secondary Epilepsy in Epileptic Patients Referred to Neurology Clinics of Mashhad Hospitals
https://brieflands.com/articles/semj-59909
Vascular malformations of the brain and head traumas are known as the most common causes of secondary epilepsy. […] Sudden unexplained death in patients with epilepsy is 25 times higher than the general population. Since mortality rate in patients with secondary epilepsy is higher than those with the idiopathic type, studies for determining the causes of secondary epilepsy are necessary. […] Our study showed that head trauma was the most common cause of secondary epilepsy, which is in congruence with other similar studies.
#140 EPILEPSIES BY ETIOLOGY
https://www.epilepsydiagnosis.org/aetiology/epilepsies-etiology-groupoverview.html
An etiology-specific epilepsy syndrome is when a specific etiology for the epilepsy is associated with a clearly-defined, relatively uniform and distinct clinical phenotype in most affected individuals (clinical presentation, seizure types, comorbidities, course of illness and/or response to specific therapies), as well as consistent EEG, neuroimaging and/or genetic correlates.
#141 EPILEPSIES BY ETIOLOGY
https://www.epilepsydiagnosis.org/aetiology/epilepsies-etiology-groupoverview.html
Epilepsies by Etiology […] In recent years there has been a significant expansion in our understanding of the underlying etiologies of the epilepsies, underpinned by advances in modern neuroimaging and genetic testing. As such terminology such as 'idiopathic’, 'cryptogenic’ and 'symptomatic’ are no longer used. Epilepsies are now described more precisely by their specific underlying etiologies. […] Some etiologies are associated with a more diverse clinical phenotype, with variable seizure type(s), age at onset, associated comorbidities and/or prognosis. In other cases, an etiology is associated with a clearly-defined, relatively uniform and distinct clinical phenotype in most affected individuals (clinical presentation, seizure types, comorbidities, course of illness and/or response to specific therapies), as well as consistent EEG, neuroimaging and/or genetic correlates, and in the latter, the term etiology-specific syndrome can be used.
#142 Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy | Epilepsy | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/sudep/index.html
SUDEP refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not caused by injury, drowning, status epilepticus, or other known causes. […] There are a number of reasons why someone with epilepsy may die of SUDEP: Breathing problems a seizure may cause a person to have pauses in breathing, called apnea. If these pauses last too long, it can reduce the oxygen in the blood. Someone can also suffocate if the airway is covered or obstructed. […] Heart problems a seizure may cause a dangerous heart rhythm or very slow heart rate. […] Other causes SUDEP may result from a combination of breathing problems, abnormal heart rhythms, or other unknown causes. Problems with brain function and genetic disorders may also contribute to SUDEP.
#143 The aetiologies of epilepsy – PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33720020/
The identification of the aetiology of a patient’s epilepsy is instrumental in the diagnosis, prognostic counselling and management of the epilepsies. Indeed, the aetiology can be important for determining the recurrence risk of single seizures and so for making a diagnosis of epilepsy. Here, we divide the aetiologies into six categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune (all of which are part of the International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] classification system) and neurodegenerative (which we have considered separately because of its growing importance in epilepsy). […] Indeed, genetic factors probably play a role, to varying degrees, in the risk of seizures in all people with epilepsy. […] As we move towards precision medicine and targeted therapies, so aetiologies will play an even greater role in the management of epilepsy.