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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half of those who have the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors.

  • Genetic influence. Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by your type of seizure, run in families, making it likely that there's a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes, though it's estimated that up to 500 genes could be tied to the condition. For some, genes are only part of the cause, perhaps by making a person more susceptible to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.
  • Head trauma sustained during a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy.
  • Medical disorders. Events like strokes or heart attacks that result in damage to the brain also can cause epilepsy. Stroke is responsible for up to one half of epilepsy cases in those over age 65.
  • Dementia is a leading cause of epilepsy among older adults.
  • Diseases like meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis can cause epilepsy.
  • Prenatal injury. Fetuses are susceptible to brain damage caused by an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This can lead to cerebral palsy in the child. About 20 percent of seizures in children are associated with cerebral palsy or other neurological abnormalities.
  • Developmental disorders. Epilepsy can be associated with other developmental disorders, such as autism and Down syndrome.
Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  2. Schachter SC, et al. Overview of the management of epilepsy in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  3. Wilfong A, et al. Overview of the classification, etiology, and clinical features of pediatric seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  4. Boggs JG. Seizures and epilepsy in the elderly: Etiologies, clinical presentation, and differential diagnosis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  5. Information for healthcare professionals: Suicidal behavior and ideation and antiepileptic drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/HCP/antiepileptics200812.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  6. Krumholz A, et al. Driving restrictions for patients with seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  7. Feen ES, et al. Status epilepticus. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:400.
  8. Tomson T, et al. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A review of incidence and risk factors. Epilepsia. 2005;46:54.
  9. Bell GS, et al. Drowning in people with epilepsy: How great is the risk? Neurology. 2008;71:578.
  10. First aid. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/firstaid/. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  11. Law enforcement/EMS response to seizures. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/professionals/emergency/index.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  12. Schachter SC, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  13. Hirsch LJ, et al. Neuroimaging in the evaluation of seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  14. French JA, et al. Initial management of epilepsy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:166.
  15. About epilepsy: Epilepsy fact sheet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/factsfigures.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  16. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  17. Living with epilepsy: Tips for living. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/quickstart/newlydiagnosed/qsliving/idvtips.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  18. Transportation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/transportation/. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  19. Myoclonus fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myoclonus/detail_myoclonus.htm#105233160. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  20. Stroke: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/detail_stroke.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  21. Browne TR, et al. Handbook of Epilepsy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:133.
  22. Cancer imaging. National Cancer Institute. http://imaging.cancer.gov/imaginginformation/cancerimaging/. Accessed March 5, 2009.
  23. Devinsky O. Epilepsy: Patient and family guide. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: Demos Medical Publishing; 2008:81.
  24. Treatment options: Ketogenic diet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/ketogenicdiet/ketoalone.cfm. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  25. Treatment options: Ketogenic diet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/ketogenicdiet/. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  26. Pre-surgical evaluation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/surgery/evaluation.cfm. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  27. Spencer SS, et al. Multiple subpial transection for intractable partial epilepsy: An international meta-analysis. Epilepsia. 2002;43:141.
  28. So EL. What is known about the mechanisms underlying SUDEP? Epilepsia. 2008;49:93.
  29. Neurontin (prescribing information.). New York, N.Y.: Pfizer Inc.; 2007. http://www.pfizer.com/products/rx/rx_product_neurontin.jsp. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  30. So E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 24, 2009.

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