What causes Epilepsy?

In the majority of cases (75%) no cause for the epilepsy can be found. About 30% of people with epilepsy have a 1st degree relative with epilepsy.

Genetic factors are implicated in certain types of epilepsy, especially Primary Generalised Epilepsy and Absence seizures. In those with partial seizures, the majority have an abnormality such as scarring of a part of the brain to account for their seizure disorder, and the outlook in partial epilepsies is poorer.

Individual seizures can be triggered by provocative factors in a susceptible person, who already has epilepsy. Some of these factors are:

• sleep deprivation,
• physical and mental exhaustion,
• metabolic disturbances,
• infections (meningitis, encephalitis, HIV),
• drugs (phenothiazines, tricyclics, cocaine; benzodiazepine withdrawal), and drug misuse,
• flickering lights (in primary generalised epilepsies only).

Epilepsy can be symptomatic of a wide range of disorders, including those listed below:

• Cerebrovascular disease, (including vascular malformations & stroke)
• Cerebral tumours
• Alcohol related
• Post-traumatic (head injury, post brain surgery)
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE)
• Sarcoid

Amended November 2008