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Key Takeaways

• Epilepsy affects millions of people and is characterized by recurring seizures that can vary significantly in type, duration, and severity.
• Researchers have identified genetics, brain injuries, infections, developmental conditions, and vascular abnormalities as potential contributors to epilepsy.
• Approximately half of all epilepsy cases have no clearly identified cause despite decades of medical research.
• Certain neurological and developmental conditions, including autism and ADHD, have been associated with an increased likelihood of epilepsy.
• Continued research and public awareness are essential to improving diagnosis, treatment options, and understanding of epilepsy’s underlying causes.

Leonel Marines is a public service professional and nonprofit executive whose career has included leadership roles in community organizations, law enforcement, education, and volunteer service. As executive director of Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida, Leonel Marines oversees organizational strategy, fundraising, compliance, staff development, and programs that support individuals and families affected by epilepsy. His experience managing operations, engaging donors, and helping expand access to diagnosis and treatment services has provided him with direct exposure to the challenges faced by people living with neurological conditions.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, he contributes to community initiatives through volunteer work in education and scholarship review. This background provides relevant context for discussions about epilepsy awareness, research, and the factors that may contribute to the development of the condition.

Potential Causes of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting more than three million people in the United States, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. In 2017, the number of Americans living with epilepsy reached an all-time high of 3.4 million. Considering the prevalence of the condition, it is important that not only medical professionals but policymakers, activist groups, and individual citizens support ongoing research, especially as the precise cause of epilepsy remains unclear.

The condition is defined by recurring seizures, though the nature and duration of seizures vary depending on the type of epilepsy Involved. For some people, seizures involve a complete loss of awareness, while others remain cognizant of their surroundings. With some types of epilepsy, a person stares blankly off into space for a few seconds, but other seizures involve convulsions that can last up to two minutes. Doctors diagnose a person with epilepsy if they experience at least two seizures more than 24 hours apart, assuming there is no other precipitating factor.

Despite decades of research, medical professionals remain unclear on the potential causes behind epilepsy in at least 50 percent of the people living with the condition. In the remaining population, researchers have identified at least a half-dozen potential factors.

Genetics can influence a person’s likelihood of developing epilepsy, especially certain types. Researchers have even managed to connect specific types of epilepsy with certain genes. While some forms of genetic epilepsy run in families, others are non-hereditary, meaning that the genetic changes that cause the condition do not pass down directly from parent to child.

While genetics represents a deep and intriguing area of epilepsy research, this category generally is only one part of the picture. For instance, certain genetic abnormalities do not necessarily cause the condition but make a person more sensitive to environmental triggers that do cause recurring seizures, such as flashing lights.

Injuries and illnesses that affect the brain can cause epilepsy. Head trauma, for example, can lead to epileptic seizures. Automobile accidents are a common source of such trauma, as are injuries caused by poor nutrition or a lack of oxygen. A range of infections can facilitate the development of epilepsy, from viral encephalitis to certain parasitic infections. Doctors have also linked meningitis and HIV to epileptic seizures.

Infections in pregnant women can cause epilepsy in unborn children. Similarly, epilepsy sometimes appears as a result of specific developmental conditions. For example, people living with autism are more likely to experience symptoms compared to people without it. Researchers have made similar connections between epilepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and similar conditions. More research is needed, but individuals living with both epilepsy and ADHD may have a genetic factor.

Finally, a few events in the brain can lead to epileptic seizures, such as brain tumors. Additionally, the abnormal formation of blood vessels in the brain can result in symptoms of epilepsy, as can other blood vessel conditions like arteriovenous and cavernous malformations. Brain factors change over time: in adults over the age of 35, for example, stroke is the No. 1 cause of epilepsy.

FAQs

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurring, unprovoked seizures. These seizures can affect awareness, movement, sensations, or behavior depending on the area of the brain involved.

What causes epilepsy?

The exact cause of epilepsy is unknown in about half of all cases. Known contributing factors may include genetics, brain injuries, infections, developmental disorders, tumors, strokes, and abnormalities in brain blood vessels.

Can epilepsy be inherited?

Some forms of epilepsy have a genetic component and may run in families. However, many genetic forms are not directly inherited and may result from spontaneous genetic changes.

How is epilepsy diagnosed?

Doctors typically diagnose epilepsy when a person experiences at least two unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart. Additional testing may be used to determine seizure type and possible underlying causes.

Who is at higher risk of developing epilepsy?

Individuals with certain genetic factors, brain injuries, infections, developmental conditions, or vascular abnormalities may face a higher risk. In adults over age 35, stroke is one of the leading causes of epilepsy.

About Leonel Marines

Leonel Marines serves as executive director of Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida, where he oversees strategy, fundraising, compliance, operations, and program support. His professional background includes more than a decade in law enforcement, rising from patrol officer to patrol sergeant, as well as experience in education as a substitute teacher. He holds a JD from Western Michigan University and bachelor’s degrees from Florida State University. Marines also volunteers as an ESL instructor and scholarship reviewer.