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Epilepsy
Summary
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.
Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury, and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown.
Doctors use brain scans and other tests to diagnose epilepsy. It is important to start treatment right away. There is no cure for epilepsy, but medicines can control seizures for most people. When medicines are not working well, surgery or implanted devices such as vagus nerve stimulators may help. Special diets can help some children with epilepsy.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Start Here
- About Epilepsy Department of Veterans Affairs
- Epilepsy Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Epilepsy and Seizures National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Genetics
- Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Benign familial neonatal seizures: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- CDKL5 deficiency disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- CHD2 myoclonic encephalopathy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Childhood absence epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- CLN8 disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 1: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Epilepsy-aphasia spectrum: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- GM3 synthase deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- PRICKLE1-related progressive myoclonus epilepsy with ataxia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Ring chromosome 14 syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Ring chromosome 20 syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Spinal muscular atrophy with progressive myoclonic epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- STXBP1 encephalopathy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Unverricht-Lundborg disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Encyclopedia
- Brain PET scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Brain surgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Epilepsy – what to ask your doctor – adult Medical Encyclopedia
- Epilepsy – what to ask your doctor – child Medical Encyclopedia
- Head CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
Patient Handouts
- Brain surgery Medical Encyclopedia
- EEG Medical Encyclopedia
- Epilepsy Medical Encyclopedia
- Epilepsy – children Medical Encyclopedia
- Epilepsy – children – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Epilepsy or seizures – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Epilepsy National Institutes of Health
Diagnosis and Tests
- Computed Tomography (CT) — Head Radiological Society of North America
- EEG (Electroencephalogram) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Magnetic Resonance, Functional (fMRI) — Brain Radiological Society of North America
- Pharmacogenetic Tests National Library of Medicine
Images
- Craniotomy – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
Statistics and Research
- Curing the Epilepsies: The Promise of Research National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Epilepsy Data and Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Epilepsy Fast Facts Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Specifics
- Dravet Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Related Issues
- Employees with Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder Office of Disability Employment Policy
- Epilepsy Can Follow Traumatic Brain Injury Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Strokes May Lead to Epilepsy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Teenagers
- Epilepsy Nemours Foundation
Children
- Epilepsy Nemours Foundation
- Infantile Spasms National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Vagus Nerve Stimulator Therapy for Epilepsy (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Women
- Epilepsy and Pregnancy American Academy of Family Physicians
- Epilepsy and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Treatments and Therapies
- Epilepsy Surgery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Seizure First Aid Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treating Epilepsy American Academy of Neurology
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
- Fashion Icon Camila Coelho Gets Real About Epilepsy Diagnosis
- How Do Seizures Affect the Brain?
- How to Help Someone Who Is Having a Seizure
- One Family’s Journey to Find Epilepsy Answers
Find an Expert
- Find a Doctor American Epilepsy Society
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Living With
- Managing Epilepsy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention