Epilepsy

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) , epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally, causing seizures . People with epilepsy may experience strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. You may wish to view information on first aid for seizures .

Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Doctors only consider a person epileptic when he or she has had two or more. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) and brain scans are common diagnostic tests for epilepsy.

Once a doctor diagnoses epilepsy, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. For about 80 percent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, they can control their seizures with modern medicines and surgical techniques.

For more information about epilepsy, please visit the following resources:

• MedlinePlus - Epilepsy
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Epilepsy
• CDC - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Epilepsy
• CDC Publication: Targeting Epilepsy
• Epilepsy Clinical Trials