Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a group of disorders marked by problems in the normal functioning of the brain. These problems can produce seizures, unusual body movements, a loss of consciousness or changes in consciousness, as well as mental problems or problems with the senses.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition that has been known to mankind since ancient times. It affects the brain to cause repeated convulsions or seizures - also called fits in common parlance. The word “epilepsy” comes from the Greek and means to be taken, seized or attacked.

Epilepsy Classification

Epilepsy Epidemiology

Epilepsy Pathophysiology

Epilepsy Seizure Types

Epilepsy Syndromes

Epilepsy Treatment

Epilepsy Legal Implications

Epilepsy in Children

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)

Catamenial Epilepsy

Catamenial Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment

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Can Stem Cells be Used to Treat Epilepsy?

Breath Analysis in Epilepsy Treatment Monitoring

Latest Epilepsy News and Research

Study links combined risk factors for aggressive behavior in men with CTE

People who have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) who have a family history of mental illness may have a higher risk of aggression in middle age, according to a study published in the November 27, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

27 Nov 2024

Childhood social disadvantage linked to increased MS severity

People who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) as children and grow up in less advantaged neighborhoods may have a larger volume of inflammation and brain tissue loss on imaging than those who grow up in more advantaged neighborhoods, according to a study published in the November 27, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

27 Nov 2024

Groundbreaking method profiles gene activity in the living brain

A groundbreaking method to profile gene activity in the living human brain has been developed by researchers at FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, in collaboration with international partners.

25 Nov 2024

Telemedicine use in neurology affected by race and neighborhood disparities

For people seeing a neurologist, their age, race, ethnicity and neighborhood may play a role in whether they do so in person or virtually, via telemedicine, according to a study published in the November 20, 2024, online issue of Neurology® Clinical Practice , an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

20 Nov 2024

Antiseizure medications in pregnancy tied to child neurodevelopment risks

Researchers investigate how anti-seizure medication use during pregnancy may increase the risk of neuropsychological conditions in children.

20 Nov 2024

Pulses of light show promise in controlling seizures

In what could one day become a new treatment for epilepsy, researchers at UC San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley have used pulses of light to prevent seizure-like activity in neurons.

15 Nov 2024

Antiseizure medications during pregnancy linked to neurodevelopmental risks in children

Children born to mothers who take antiseizure medications to manage seizures and psychiatric conditions during pregnancy may face increased risks of neurodevelopmental conditions, according to new data from researchers at Drexel's Dornsife School of Public Health.

15 Nov 2024

New discovery reveals NMDAR's critical function in maintaining brain stability

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have made a fundamental discovery: the NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-;long studied primarily for its role in learning and memory-;also plays a crucial role in stabilizing brain activity.

15 Nov 2024

High blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and smoking linked to severe stroke risk

People with conditions or habits such as high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, or smoking, not only have a higher risk of stroke, they may also have more severe strokes than people without these risk factors, according to a study published in the November 13, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 Nov 2024

Practical tool helps predict epilepsy risk in venous stroke patients

A practical calculator that predicts the risk of epilepsy after venous stroke is presented in a study from the University of Gothenburg and others.

12 Nov 2024

Finnish epilepsy care pathway sets benchmark for healthcare systems

The Finnish epilepsy care pathway has been published in Epilepsia Open. This Finnish model for epilepsy care provides a streamlined, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, and combines modern digital tools, data sharing and peer support.

12 Nov 2024

New calculator predicts epilepsy risk after venous stroke

A practical calculator that predicts the risk of epilepsy after venous stroke is presented in a study from the University of Gothenburg and others. The aim is to improve care for those affected, which are predominantly young adults.

12 Nov 2024

Genetic diagnosis solves medical mystery for 30 undiagnosed patients

An international team of researchers has provided a genetic diagnosis for 30 individuals whose condition was undiagnosed for years despite extensive clinical or genetic testing.

8 Nov 2024

Ketogenic diet linked to gut microbes and seizure reduction in epileptic children

The ketogenic diet's anti-seizure effects in children may be influenced by gut bacteria and metabolites, highlighting their role in epilepsy treatment.

7 Nov 2024

Daytime sleepiness and low enthusiasm may be linked to motoric cognitive risk syndrome

Older people who are sleepy during the day or lack enthusiasm for activities due to sleep issues may be more likely to develop a syndrome that can lead to dementia, according to a study published in the November 6, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

6 Nov 2024

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation: A new frontier in noninvasive brain therapy

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation combines accuracy and reversibility, paving the way for innovative treatments of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

1 Nov 2024

Drug repurposing offers hope for SYNGAP1 patients

The SynGAP Research Fund 501(c)(3) has awarded a pair of grants to Dr. Clement Chow, a geneticist and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah. These grants are crucial steps in advancing therapeutic development for SYNGAP1-Related Disorders (SRD).

30 Oct 2024

Study provides new insights into the molecular causes of rare, fatal hereditary disease

A study entitled "IER3IP1-mutations cause microcephaly by selective inhibition of ER-Golgi transport", now published in the open access journal "Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences", provides new insights into the molecular causes of a rare and usually fatal hereditary disease called MEDS1.

28 Oct 2024

Researchers unlock potential of light-controlled cellular activities

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have succeeded in elucidating the structure of specific photoreceptors.

25 Oct 2024

Deletion of long non-coding RNA linked to rare neurodevelopmental disorder

When a gene produces too much protein, it can have devastating consequences on brain development and function. Patients with an overproduction of protein from the chromodomain helicase DNA binding (CHD2) gene can develop a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorder that renders them wheelchair-bound, nonverbal and with profound intellectual delays.

24 Oct 2024