Scientific Name: Epilepsy Common Name: The Seizure Disorder

Epilepsy is a chronic (persistent) disorder of the nervous system and brain in which a person has repeated seizures or convulsions over time.

It can be caused by some event or condition that results in damage to the brain tissue such as strokes, tumors, abscesses, trauma or infections such as meningitis. It may also be triggered by genetic factors or some form of injury at birth

Epilepsy is not contagious but people with a family history of this disorder are at a greater risk.

Epilepsy affects about one percent of the population. Approximately 2.3 million Americans and 40 million people throughout the world have epilepsy. It is the second-most common neurological disorder.

The highest incidence is in children under 10 and elderly over 70.

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system, specifically the brain’s temporal lobe.

The brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures.

A seizure occurs when the brain's nerve cells misfire and generate a sudden, uncontrolled surge of electrical activity in the brain.

Aura- unusual sensations that occur before seizures Staring spells Violent shaking Loss of alertness Tingling throughout the body Smell unusual odors Headaches Emotional changes Depression Irritability Sleep disruption

For many people, epilepsy is a lifelong condition. In these cases, anti-seizure drugs need to be taken and continued.

Some people with epilepsy may be able to reduce or even stop their anti-seizure medicines after having no seizures for several years.

Certain types of childhood epilepsy go away or improve with age, usually in the late teens or 20s.

Currently, no cure exists for epilepsy Medication to prevent seizures, called anticonvulsants,

may reduce the number of future seizures. Surgery is a treatment option in cases where doctors

can identify the specific site in the brain where seizures originate.

Surgery to remove the abnormal brain cells may slow down or stop seizures

Surgery to place a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) may be recommended. It can help reduce the number of seizures.

A 10 year old Connecticut girl named Grace Wohlberg was faced with a difficult situation. She was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis, an extreme form of epilepsy.

Her father, Seth Wholberg had to decide to allow her to continue suffering the slow development of a rare epilepsy, or undergo the only treatment which is the removal of half of the brain.

After researching his options, Wholberg decided to go with Dr. Gary Mathern, a UCLA Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery who he trusted with this surgery in 2010

Today, Grace is recovering slowly but she has leaned to walk strongly and become alert

Wholberg started the RE Children's Project in 2010 so families could find information on fighting epilepsy

Danny Glover

PrinceFlorence Griffith

Joyner (FloJo)

Tiki and Ronde Barber

James Madison Vincent Van Gogh

American Epilepsy Society located in Connecticut “The American Epilepsy Society promotes research and education for

professionals dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of epilepsy”

Epilepsy Foundation located in Maryland “The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and SUDEP, find

a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research to accelerate ideas into therapies.”

Epilepsy and Brain Mapping Program: Huntington Memorial Hospital located in California

“A comprehensive healthcare center for treating adult and pediatric epilepsy and other neurological disorders with seizures.”

Epilepsy - PubMed Health. (2012, February 16). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved March 2, 2013 Epilepsy and the Brain | epilepsy.com. (n.d.). Epilepsy and seizure information for patients and health professionals | epilepsy.com. Retrieved March 2, 2013Letcher, M. (n.d.). Epilepsy . The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders.. Retrieved March 2, 2013