Epilepsy

What Causes Seizures?
An allegory to describe what happens in the brain during a seizure.

Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus
Most of us think of seizures as causing convulsive movements, but some seizures instead mimic changes of consciousness like delirium and even coma. How can we know when someone is seizing?

Developments in Anti-Seizure Medications
Between 2007 and 2012, eight new anticonvulsant medications became available in Europe or the United States, offering new options to those with poorly controlled seizures. No medication is without some risks, and it's important to learn about the good and the bad of any new pharmaceutical agent.

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures
Conversion disorders occur when a psychiatric stress makes itself known by acting out like a neurological illness. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures are an example. Although there is no abnormal electrical activity in the brain as is present in epilepsy, these patients act and feel like they are having epileptic seizures. Rather than treating...

About Epilepsy
The About Guide Site for Epilepsy

Neurocysticercosis
Parasitic tapeworm larvae in the brain.

Generic Antiepileptic Medications
The FDA has stated that there is no significant difference between brand name antiepileptic medication and less expensive generic equivalents. But some people have noticed an increase in seizure frequency or other adverse effects after switching.

Benign Seizures of Infancy
Watching their newborn baby have a seizure is a terrifying experience for parents, but not all seizures portend a serious outcome for the child. Here are some of the less severe forms of infant epilepsy.

Serious Epilepsy Syndromes in Infants
While some forms of epilepsy that affect children do not lead to serious problems down the road, others can cause developmental delay or even early death. Here are some of the epilepsy syndromes that can be the hardest on parents of newborn children.

Partial Epilepsy Syndromes of Childhood
There are many types of childhood epilepsy. Some affect children over the age of two, and others only impact infants. Some cause the whole body to shake (generalized seizures), and others only initially shake part of the body (partial seizures). Some are associated with learning problems and developmental disability, though many are not. Here...

Serious Epilepsy Syndromes in Children
The term "serious" epilepsy syndrome can mean that in addition to seizures, a child with epilepsy may suffer from developmental delays or learning disabilities. It is important for families to realize that while the way ahead may be challenging, help is available.

Generalized Epilepsy Syndromes of Childhood
There are so many types of epilepsy syndromes that it is useful to divide them by age and severity. Here we look at generalized epilepsy syndromes in children over the age of two in which learning and development will likely be normal.