Is epilepsy hereditary?

2024-11-14

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures caused by disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain. A common question is whether epilepsy is hereditary and whether there is a genetic link. The answer is not simple, because different types of epilepsy can have different causes. Here we review what the research says about the connection between epilepsy and heredity.

Is epilepsy a genetic disease?

Some types of epilepsy have a clear genetic component. This means that a person can inherit a predisposition to the disease from their parents. But the role of heredity varies depending on the type of epilepsy involved:

  • Idiopathic epilepsy: This type of epilepsy has no known cause, but researchers have identified that genetic factors often play a large role. This is especially true in childhood-onset epilepsy.
  • Symptomatic epilepsy: This form of epilepsy is due to an underlying brain injury or disease, such as a brain injury at birth or a brain tumor. Here, genetics is less important.

How big is the risk of epilepsy being inherited?

The fact that a family member has epilepsy does not automatically mean that the disease will be inherited. Research shows that:

  • If a parent has epilepsy, the risk of their child developing epilepsy is generally low, between 1 and 10 percent depending on the type of epilepsy.
  • If both parents have epilepsy, the risk increases, but it is still not guaranteed.

Several different genes can be involved, and often it is a combination of genetics and environmental factors that trigger the disease.

What does the research say about genetics and epilepsy?

Scientists have identified some specific genes that are linked to epilepsy, but these make up only a small part of the overall genetic basis of the disease. Most people with epilepsy have a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors that contribute to the disease. For example, environmental factors such as infections, brain damage or lack of oxygen at birth can play a large role.

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READ ABOUT HOW SENSOREM’S PERSONAL ALARM CAN INCREASE SAFETY FOR SOMEONE SUFFERING FROM EPILEPSY