CMMC Neuroscience Center

Epilepsy

Basic Information

Epilepsy is a condition of recurring seizures. Seizures are due to uncontrolled electrical discharges in the brain. Patients may experience minor seizures (confusional spells), major seizures (convulsions), or a mixture of the two. There are numerous causes including brain injury, stroke, inherited epilepsies and brain infections. Often, seizures will begin years after the brain injury occurred. Inherited epilepsies usually start in childhood. Epilepsy is often a lifelong condition, but it may also occur due to a specific brain insult (seizures caused by a medication, meningitis or other self limited conditions) and may eventually resolve. Some childhood epilepsies also resolve spontaneously.

Symptoms

• Sudden confusion or staring spells
  
• Major convulsive activity
  
• Drop attacks
  
• Blackouts, automatisms
  
  

Treatment Available

• Understanding first aid procedures
  
• Anti-seizure drugs or anti-epileptics
  
• Epilepsy surgery for selected patients
  
• Vagus nerve stimulation (similar to a heart pacemaker)
  
  

Research

• Ongoing studies to understand the molecular and genetic basis of epilepsy
  
• Clinical trials to evaluate new drugs and to compare old drugs
  
• MRI-based studies to follow the long-term course of epilepsy and its effect on the brain
  

Web Site: Eplepsy Foundation