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Epilepsy is the most common, serious neurological disorder. Epilepsy can affect people from all age groups, all racial groups and all socioeconomic levels. |
Children
In the early stages of life, the human brain undergoes a great deal of growth and brain cells establish trillions of connections. Many brain cells function differently during childhood which is important for optimal brain development, however, this also makes the young brain more susceptible to seizures. Some children experience epilepsy during certain stages of childhood or adolescence. There are other types of childhood onset epilepsy that continue into adulthood and will be life-long conditions.
New research is uncovering genetic causes for some epilepsy disorders which may lead to more effective treatments. There is also an interest in learning how to prevent the development of epilepsy in genetically susceptible individuals.
We need further research to understand the effects of epilepsy and seizures on attention, memory and other thinking abilities that are important for learning. Greater understanding of the effects of epilepsy on brain function will help us develop better ways to support children with epilepsy during their education. This will lead to improved success academically, emotionally and socially.
Adults
New onset seizures can happen to anyone at anytime. In the majority of cases we do not know why a person suddenly develops epilepsy. In some adults who experience temporal lobe epilepsy there may be a finding of hippocampal sclerosis (scar tissue in a brain region called the hippocampus, indicated by a white arrow in the brain image). However, we need further research
to understand why hippocampal sclerosis develops and whether hippocampal sclerosis is a cause of epilepsy or an effect of the seizures, or both. There are many people with new onset seizures who do not have any visible changes on tests such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Seizures occur when groups of neurons generate signals in an excessive, hypersychronous pattern. This is a functional change in brain activity and the underlying cause may not be evident when viewing pictures or images of the brain. Researchers are developing new ways to measure functional changes in the brain and to detect changes associated with epilepsy.
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| Anything that damages the brain can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy can begin years, or even decades, after brain injury. |
Some of our Canadian military serving in Afghanistan have experienced brain injuries resulting from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These men and women are at increased risk of developing epilepsy. We need further research to understand the changes that take place after traumatic brain injury that cause epilepsy as well as ways to prevent epileptogenesis (the process leading to the development of epilepsy) from happening.
Seniors
New onset epilepsy is highest among adults over the age of 65. Anything that can damage the brain can be a potential cause of epilepsy. This includes head injury, stroke, brain tumours, cardiac arrest and other neurological disorders (such as Alzheimer’s Disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease).
We need to have a greater understanding of what happens to brain cells and brain circuits during the aging process and how other conditions cause changes that can lead to epilepsy. We also need medications that have fewer side effects so that seizures can be prevented without causing cognitive deficits or increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
The Canadian League Against Epilepsy (CLAE)
The Canadian League Against Epilepsy is an organization of medical and basic sciences professionals whose goal is to develop, through research, innovative therapeutic and preventative strategies to avoid the consequences of epilepsy. We also want to translate these discoveries into applicable therapies for all Canadians. Finally, we want to promote national awareness and educate all Canadians about epilepsy and its consequences with the help of the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance.
For more information please visit our website: http://www.clae.org/
Contact Us:
Email: ascent@clae.org Phone: (519) 433-4073
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