NINDS Epilepsy Information Page

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is a disorder with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity - from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development - can lead to seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. EEGs and brain scans are common diagnostic test for epilepsy.

Is there any treatment?

What is the prognosis?

What research is being done?

• Curing Epilepsy: The Promise of Research
   
  
• Epilepsy: Hope Through Research
  
  Information booklet on seizures, seizure disorders, and epilepsy compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
• NINDS Febrile Seizures Information Page
  Febrile Seizures information sheet compiled by NINDS.
• Febrile Seizures Fact Sheet
  
  Febrile seizures fact sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• NINDS Infantile Spasms Information Page
  Infantile spasms (West Syndrome) information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
• NINDS Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Information Page
  Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
• Neurological Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
  Fact sheet on neurological diagnosis and testing, prepared by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
  
• Epilepsy Research Web
  Epilepsy Research Web
• White House-Initiated Conference on Epilepsy
  Summary of a White House-initiated conference, "Curing Epilepsy,", March 30-31, 2000.
• Electrical Activity Alters Neurotransmitter Production in Frogs During Development
  August 2004 news article about a study showing that changing neurons'; electrical activity changes the neurotransmitters they produce.
• Promising Gene Therapy Tool May Suppress Epileptic Seizures
  November 2003 news summary on an experimental gene therapy that might be useful for treating partial seizures.
• Drug-Resistant Seizures Often Take Years to Develop
  January 2003 press release on new findings regarding the prognosis of partial epilepsy.
• Gene Linked to Epilepsy With Auditory Features
  February 2002 news summary on a gene for familial epilepsy with auditory features.
• Safe Effective Treatment to Stop Seizures Can Be Delivered Outside of the Hospital
  August 2001 news release on a finding that status epilepticus can be safely treated by paramedics using benzodiazepine drugs.
• Workshop on Nonepileptic Seizures
  Workshop on Nonepileptic Seizures, Sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the American Epilepsy Society
• Imaging Markers of Epileptogenesis: New Research Directions
  Imaging Markers of Epileptogenesis: New Research Directions
• DNA Microarrays and Epilepsy Research
  DNA Microarrays and Epilepsy Research
• Health Disparities in Epilepsy Planning Panel
  Summary of Health Disparities in Epilepsy Planning Panel-- November 13, 2002.
• Models II: Identification and Characterization of Animal Models of Human Therapy Resistance and Epileptogenesis
  Models II: Identification and Characterization of Animal Models of Human Therapy Resistance and Epileptogenesis
• Models for Epilepsy & Epileptogenesis
  Workshop Summary: Models for Epilepsy & Epileptogenesis
• Molecular Analysis of Complex Genetic Epilepsies
  Summary of a workshop on molecular analysis of complex genetic epilepsies held January 31 - February 1, 2002.
• Workshop on Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Monotherapy Indication
  A workshop attempt to reach consensus on the best method to obtain FDA approval for monotherapy labeling for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)