The risk of developing epilepsy can be attributed to any cause that disturbs the normal electrical activity in the brain such as abnormal brain development, damage to the brain or illness. Half of all seizures have no known cause but the other half can usually be traced to trauma, infection, genetics or another identifiable factor.
Abnormal Brain Development and Genetics
Some researchers believe that epilepsy develops due to an abnormality in the wiring of the brain or an imbalance of neurotransmitters (nerve signaling chemicals), or a combination of both factors. Either too many or too few excitatory neurotransmitters can result in increased neuron activity resulting in seizures.
Several forms of epilepsy have been linked to genes that control the flow of ions in and out of the cells that regulate neuron signaling. The genes identified were defective in those experiencing some types of seizures.
Other types of epilepsy tend to run in families. Maternal epilepsy increases the risk of inheriting the condition.
Damage to the Brain
Damage to the brain resulting from head injuries can lead to epilepsy. In some instances when the brain is attempting to repair itself following trauma from injury from stroke or accidents it can involuntarily generate abnormal nerve connections which can lead to repetitive seizures known as epilepsy.
Epilepsy can develop from damage to the brain from other disorders such as brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, alcohol and drug abuse. Conditions that deprive the brain of oxygen for periods of time such as heart attacks or strokes can cause epilepsy.
Illness and Other Factors
Illnesses that can lead to epilepsy include but are not limited to hydrocephalus, Meningitis, viral encephalitis and AIDS. When seizures are brought on by illness or infection they can sometimes stop if the condition that caused the seizures is successfully treated. This is dependent on the type of illness and the region of the brain it affected and how much damage was done to the brain prior to the treatment.
The prevalence of epilepsy is common in many developmental and metabolic disorders. Some of these include autism, cerebral palsy, pyruvate deficiency, tuberous sclerosis, Landau-Kleffner syndrome and neurofibromatosis.
Exposure to toxins such as carbon monoxide and lead can lead to the onset of seizures. Overdoses of medications such as antidepressants, and over use of illicit drugs pose a risk of development of epilepsy as well.
The risk of developing epilepsy can be attributed to any cause that disturbs the normal electrical activity in the brain such as abnormal brain development, damage to the brain or illness. Half of all seizures have no known cause but the other half can usually be traced to trauma, infection, genetics or another identifiable factor.
Abnormal Brain Development and Genetics
Some researchers believe that epilepsy develops due to an abnormality in the wiring of the brain or an imbalance of neurotransmitters (nerve signaling chemicals), or a combination of both factors. Either too many or too few excitatory neurotransmitters can result in increased neuron activity resulting in seizures.
Several forms of epilepsy have been linked to genes that control the flow of ions in and out of the cells that regulate neuron signaling. The genes identified were defective in those experiencing some types of seizures.
Other types of epilepsy tend to run in families. Maternal epilepsy increases the risk of inheriting the condition.
Damage to the Brain
Damage to the brain resulting from head injuries can lead to epilepsy. In some instances when the brain is attempting to repair itself following trauma from injury from stroke or accidents it can involuntarily generate abnormal nerve connections which can lead to repetitive seizures known as epilepsy.
Epilepsy can develop from damage to the brain from other disorders such as brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, alcohol and drug abuse. Conditions that deprive the brain of oxygen for periods of time such as heart attacks or strokes can cause epilepsy.
Illness and Other Factors
Illnesses that can lead to epilepsy include but are not limited to hydrocephalus, Meningitis, viral encephalitis and AIDS. When seizures are brought on by illness or infection they can sometimes stop if the condition that caused the seizures is successfully treated. This is dependent on the type of illness and the region of the brain it affected and how much damage was done to the brain prior to the treatment.
The prevalence of epilepsy is common in many developmental and metabolic disorders. Some of these include autism, cerebral palsy, pyruvate deficiency, tuberous sclerosis, Landau-Kleffner syndrome and neurofibromatosis.
Exposure to toxins such as carbon monoxide and lead can lead to the onset of seizures. Overdoses of medications such as antidepressants, and over use of illicit drugs pose a risk of development of epilepsy as well.