Brain Diseases
Epilepsy
Back to Brain DiseasesEpilepsy Overview
Epilepsy disrupts nerve cell activity in the brain and causes seizures. Epilepsy has various causes, including an abnormality in brain structure or wiring, an imbalance in nerve-signaling chemicals, or a change in brain cell features. While these seizure disorders are not yet completely understood, there are both genetic and non-genetic types of epilepsy. Genetics may be a contributing factor in even non-genetic epilepsy. Learn about epilepsy causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.
3.4 million
people in the U.S. live with epilepsy
70%
of patients diagnosed can control their seizures with medication and/or surgical intervention
What Causes Epilepsy?
For those with epilepsy, seizures occur as the result of a disruption in the electrical communication in the brain, whether due to an illness or infection, brain damage, brain tumor, or abnormal brain development. These seizures can look like changes in sensation, emotions, or behavior as well as convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness.
There are different types of seizure disorders associated with epilepsy, including mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, post-stroke or post-concussive epilepsy, and genetic or pediatric inherited epilepsy. Individual seizures are often classified based on where they begin. A focal, or partial, seizure begins with an electrical discharge in a localized area or one side of the brain, while a generalized seizure involves both sides.
Epilepsy Risk Factors
Epilepsy Signs and Symptoms
Epilepsy Diagnosis
Epilepsy Treatments
Disease Resources
Support Brain Research
We need your help to continue to fund brain research projects and find cures. Stand with us in the fight against brain diseases and disorders.
Additional Brain Disease Information
Explore more brain disease information, research, and stories.
BLOG
News and Articles
Discover the latest news in brain disease research, hear stories from people affected by brain disease and their caregivers, read up on brain disease-specific information, and more.
How Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research Is Fueling Advancements for Other Neuromuscular Diseases
Read More
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Learn About One Person’s Story of Early Dementia, Misdiagnosis, and Living With CSVD
Read More
Featured Researcher: Dr. Carolina Barnett-Tapia, MD, PhD, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Ontario
Read More
Researcher Feature: Jasmeer Chhatwal, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
Read More
Featured Researcher: Lidia Maria Moura, MD, MPH, PhD, Center for Value-Based Health Care and Sciences at Massachusetts General Hospital
Read More
Stephen L. Hauser, MD: Career-Long Dedication Leads to Breakthrough Research in Multiple Sclerosis
Read More
Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen to Accept Award at Commitment to Cures on April 6 in Support of Brain Disease Research
Read More
Announcing the 2022 Ted M. Burns Humanism in Neurology Award Recipient: Barbara S. Giesser, MD, FAAN
Read More
Recipients Selected for the American Brain Foundation 2022 Cure One, Cure Many Award for the Early Diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia
Read More
Prioritizing Healthcare Disparities Research: Groundbreaking American Brain Foundation-Funded Awards
Read More
Groundbreaking research award established to discover an accurate method of diagnosing Lewy body dementia
Read More
Star-Studded Virtual Event to Recognize Breakthroughs in Brain Disease Research on April 21
Read More
Jim Cramer to Receive American Brain Foundation’s 2020 Ambassador Award for Migraine Advocacy
Read More
American Brain Foundation Gala in Toronto to Recognize Breakthroughs in Brain Disease Research, Celebrate Advocates
Read More
International Sponsor Council Focuses on Brain Health as Part of Its Athlete Health Initiative
Read More
Foundation to present prestigious Public Leadership in Neurology Award to B. Smith and Dan Gasby
Read More
Orlena
Orlena was driving with her young daughter in the car when she suffered a stroke because of a rare brain vessel disorder called Moyamoya. After two brain surgeries and six months unable to care for her daughter, Orlena began to reclaim her independence and became a Moyamoya advocate.
Read More of Orlena’s Story
ABF Stories
Orlena
Zoe
At 15 years old, Zoe has been navigating her Tourette syndrome diagnosis for eight years. “I had to figure out at a young age how my emotions affect my tics, from good to awful ways. It has been frustrating to figure out on my own and learn to deal with. This was the first moment in my life where my parents couldn’t fix something for me.”
Read More of Zoe’s Story
ABF STORIES
Zoe
Sasha
Sasha was diagnosed with epilepsy after sustaining a soccer-related brain injury in high school. Since then, Sasha has worked to find both a treatment that controlled her seizures and a career that fulfilled her desire to care for others. “Life isn’t meant to be lived taking multiple medications and having seizures you can’t control.”
Read More of Sasha’s Story
ABF STORIES
Sasha
Ken Jr.
Before frontotemporal lobe dementia, sometimes called Pick’s disease, Ken Keene Sr. was a respected community member and a handyman who could fix anything. For his oldest son and namesake Ken Keene Jr., there was nothing his father couldn’t do: “To my family, he was just that super dad. Then all of a sudden he’s reaching out for help.”
Read More of Ken’s Story
ABF STORIES
Ken Jr.
Morgan
It started with a twinge. After a simple surgery and some physical therapy, Morgan wasn’t getting better. It took two more surgeries before she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type II.
Read More of Morgan’s Story
ABF STORIES
Morgan
Kelly
In 2018, Kelly was diagnosed with glioblastoma after an MRI confirmed that a golf-ball-sized tumor above her right ear was affecting the left side of her body. After surgery to remove the tumor, Kelly was able to get through her darkest days with a healthy dose of humor. Now she is an advocate for other patients living with strokes and brain tumors.
Read More of Kelly’s Story
ABF STORIES
Kelly
Nancy
When her father was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2005, Nancy quickly shifted into the role of his caregiver. Nancy and her sisters drew from their individual strengths to provide their father with medical assistance and emotional support until his passing in 2012. At that time, he was diagnosed again with Lewy body dementia. “No matter what your financial situation, there’s probably going to be help out there… Just don’t do it alone, because burning yourself out is not going to help anybody.”
Read More of Nancy’s Story
ABF STORIES
Nancy
Maureen
Maureen worked as a high school English teacher until she started experiencing a confusing array of symptoms that affected her ability to work, along with her relationships with family and friends. After visiting numerous specialists for years, Maureen received a delayed diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. Now Maureen wants to raise awareness about what life is like with living with this disease. “I felt that I just wanted to offer something to this community that I hadn’t been able to find really.”
Read More of Maureen’s Story
ABF STORIES
Maureen
Joey
For the first 32 years of his life, Joey experienced seizures from epilepsy. For several years, Joey worked hard in his career as a pipe welder and in construction until his seizures started happening more frequently and intensely. Brain surgery became Joey’s only viable option for treatment. Doctors were unsure if Joey would be able to survive after finding more brain damage than expected, but he surprised everyone by thriving during his post-surgery recovery.
Read More of Joey’s Story
ABF STORIES
Joey
Ben
At age 40, Ben was perfectly healthy and active until he started noticing the early symptoms of a neurological condition that weakened his physical movements. After a 2-year search for his diagnosis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, he began his journey as an advocate for others living with rare diseases. Last year, Ben joined the board of the American Brain Foundation to further his impact.
Read More of Ben’s Story
ABF STORIES
Ben
Michele
In 2002, while her young daughter battled a fatal diagnosis of pons glioma, Michele experienced a life-threatening brain hemorrhage when a brain malformation she likely had since birth ruptured. She experienced drastic changes in the way her brain functioned, especially in regard to memory and spatial awareness. Today, Michele is still learning to adjust. “When someone’s brain is not functioning correctly it impacts everything in their life. It impacts how they think, how they feel about themselves, it’s a very hopeless space to be in as a person.”
Read More of Michele’s Story
ABF STORIES
Michele
Matt
Matt is a husband, father, and professional photographer. Over the past 11 years, he has had surgeries and radiation to remove five benign brain tumors. Following the third surgery, he began to experience more struggles in his daily life. “I think the biggest loss is my relationship to my family. They saw me as the dad and strong. Now they can’t count on me as much. It’s important to support people with brain disease ‘cause it can happen to anybody.’”
Read More of Matt’s Story
ABF STORIES
Matt
Mary Jo
When she was in her early 30’s, Mary Jo’s relationship with her parents was forever altered by brain disease. Her father suffered a subdural hematoma, was diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, and experienced a stroke while her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia. “They’re a responsibility that I have to take care of as they have taken care of me.”
Read More of Mary Jo’s Story
ABF STORIES
Mary Jo
Tom
Tom suffers from dystonia, a painful neurological movement disorder with no known cure. When he first started experiencing strange pains and cramps in his neck muscles, he saw chiropractors and physical therapists—but when this didn’t help, Tom started down a long and painful road to an eventual diagnosis. Before his diagnosis at 30 years old, Tom was an athlete and an entrepreneur, but as his symptoms worsened, even performing everyday tasks became a challenge. Before long, the pain became debilitating. Over time, Tom learned to accept his new limitations and focus on his physical and mental health.
Read More of Tom’s Story
ABF STORIES
