Genetic
• This is one of the most important factors of epilepsy origin.
• There are many types of epilepsy that are genetic (run in families). As with genetics, these markers could affect one family member while skipping other members over several generations.
• In some cases, there is a specific known gene (part of the hereditary code) that controls the epilepsy, and if family members have that gene, they will develop epilepsy. An example of this is familial frontal lobe epilepsy.
• In some other cases, there are no known genes, but there is a clear family tendency for epilepsy. Examples include many of the idiopathic generalized epilepsies such as absence epilepsy.
• How do genes cause epilepsy?
- They most likely affect the threshold (lower the bar) for seizures. When there is a trigger that lowers the threshold, like for example sleep deprivation or stress, a seizure is more likely to occur in someone who is genetically predisposed.