Is Epilepsy Inherited?

Is Epilepsy Inherited? | October 22, 2009

Just because you have a parent, sibling, cousin or aunt who has epilepsy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have it also.

In fact, if you have a close relative with epilepsy, the chance of you having epilepsy is only about 2-8%, depending on the specific type of epilepsy.

The risk in the general population is about 1-2%. On the other hand, there is a 92-98% chance for the close relative of someone with epilepsy to NOT have the same condition!

So, even though the risk in families with epilepsy is higher than in the general population, most people with epilepsy do not have any relatives with seizures, and the great majority of parents with epilepsy do not have children with epilepsy.

Not everyone who carries genes making them more likely to develop epilepsy will do so. Even if the genes are passed on, not every generation in a family will have seizures. And so, like diabetes, epilepsy may skip a generation.

While epilepsy cannot currently be cured, for some people it does eventually go away. One study found that children with idiopathic epilepsy, or epilepsy with an unknown cause, had a 68 to 92 percent chance of becoming seizure-free by 20 years after their diagnosis.

The odds of becoming seizure-free are not as good for adults, or for children with severe epilepsy syndromes. But it is possible that seizures may decrease or even stop over time. This is more likely if the epilepsy has been well-controlled by medication or if the person has had epilepsy surgery.

The Genetics of Epilepsy

Clinical tests suggest that genetic abnormalities may be some of the most important factors contributing to epilepsy. Some types of epilepsy have been traced to an abnormality in a specific gene.

Researchers estimate that more than 500 genes could play a role in this disorder. However, it is increasingly clear that, for many forms of epilepsy, genetic abnormalities play only a partial role, perhaps by increasing a person’s susceptibility to seizures that are triggered by an environmental or external factor.

Like photosensitivity. (Did you know that 25 percent of people with primary generalized epilepsy are photosensitive?)

While abnormal genes sometimes cause epilepsy, they also may influence the disorder in subtler ways…

For example, one study showed that many people with epilepsy have an abnormally active version of a gene that increases resistance to drugs. This may help explain why anticonvulsant drugs do not work for some people.

Genes also may control other aspects of the body’s response to medications and each person’s susceptibility to seizures, or seizure threshold.

Abnormalities in the genes that control neuronal migration – a critical step in brain development – can lead to areas of misplaced or abnormally formed neurons in the brain that can cause epilepsy.

And in some cases, genes may contribute to development of epilepsy even in people with no family history of the disorder. These people may have a newly developed abnormality, or mutation, in an epilepsy-related gene.

References:

http://www.healingwell.com/library/epilepsy/info1.asp

http://www.healthcentral.com/ency/408/guides/000044_2_2.html

http://www.geocities.com/geneinfo/conditions/epilepsyb.html

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Posted in Epilepsy
Tags: environmental factors, Epilepsy, genetic abnormalities, photosensitivity, Research, seizure threshold, seizure-free, seizures

15 Comments »

My seizures are definetely genetic in nature. My father had epilepsy, my sister and me. I think with my sister it went into remission when she was 17. It came back in her late 50′s. I also have 2 sons with epilepsy.

After my last child was born, my father’s side of the family brought someone over from Scotland to tell us of our history of epilepsy. We found out that the hereditary goes clear back to centuries.

I have 3 children, who do not have epilepsy. I am glad about that.

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 5, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

Reply
- I do know that epilepsy can go into remission. But that’s usually when you get it as a young child and for some miraculous reason it dissapates at around 22. With your sister, it seems to have gone in reverse. No fair!
  
  Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 5, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov
  
  Reply
My sister did get it as a young child. She was 6 years of age. The same with my father. We lived in the coundty on a ranch for 6 years. He did not want his family to see him having any absence seizures. He got it as 6 years of age and it went into remission at 17 years of age. If his family saw him having just one absence seizure, he would have been disowned.

That is what is not fair!! This is hard to believe: my grandparents, on my father’s side of the family were sent to China to have their children. They even had a Chinese birth certificate. My father got it at 6 years of age. It went into remission at 17 years of age. Then his grand father brought him back to the USA.

The family had a shipping company. They could afford it. I wonder how many relatives I have in China. This is the truth.

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 6, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

Reply
My story: It all started w/ a cousin. His started at age 12/13? & went into remission after a few bouts (yrs) of szs. He is older then me by a few yrs & so far, Has had no further problems. My Sister, HMMM first it was 16, now it was age 12 (hormonal). Controlled after 30 yrs by diet & progesterone cream. ME: 3 KNOWN convulsions as a babe/toddler. Remission til age 26. Re-triggered by a head blow??? I think. Possibly had undetected seizures growing up???
My daughter was good until her 28th B’Day. Not sure what triggered them. But, after 5-6 yrs, her DR finally dxed her w/ Hereditary EP.

I asked a NEW neuro about Me having Hereditary Ep. His answer: Just cuz your daughter was diagnosed w/ Hereditary EP doesn’t mean yours are.

Just don’t sound rite given family history. But, yes, in a sense it does make sense. After all there are over 40 sz types/syndromes. But, I think he should have run some blood tests to determine this. Not just say NO! My daughter’s neuro seemed to think it was HIGHLY possible & would have loved having me & my daughter in his research program.

Phylis, my personal opinion: Remission can happen at any age. It can happen, like mine, after a few szs or last for yrs (like cousins) then disappear. Only to return yrs later. Or like my cousins: remain in remission. You called it the ‘stealth disorder’. Says it all! Love Candi

Comment by Candi — November 9, 2009 @ 9:15 PMNov -04:00Nov

Reply
Hi Candi,
I have never heard it the ‘stealth disorder,’ but I agree with you. It is a type of epilepsy that you think is gone forever. It returns at a later age, like my sister. Your Friend, Ruth

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 9, 2009 @ 9:15 PMNov -04:00Nov

Reply
Hi,
I have had seizures since I was 2 years old I was told they started with High Fevers. They continued like that till I was 4 years old and then I would just have a seizure with or without a temp. I was taken to a pediatric neurologist and my parents were told that I had an abnormal EEG (brain waves) so I was put on phenobarbital I would still have seizures at least once a year until I was about 13 years old. Where we got my medication at a good level and I went without a seizure until I was 19 years old. I still had a EEG every 6 months and a CT once every 2 years and the abnormal brain waves were still there just controlled by medication.
I have 4 children and none of them have seizures. No one in my family has seizures. So in my case it is not hereditary. My seizures started to increase around 2001 when I started having more than 1 a year to 2 to 3 a year. I was told I was getting more seizures due to sleep deprivation and stress. I then had a seizure were I knew what was going on but couldn’t stop it. The really weird thing was that once I was able to come out of it I couldn’t do simple things like turn on a light switch. I would be looking at it but didn’t know how to turn it on. When I spoke to my doctor she said the only way she could explain it to me was saying that my brain’s electrical system went a little haywire without throwing me into a full blown seizure. She told me to make sure that I got proper sleep. In the last 6 months my seizures have increased alot. I really need to see a really good doctor in the South Florida area. I don’t understand why they are increasing. They are increasing were I can have 1 a week for 6 weeks then go 2 months with none. Could my brain wave function be worse?

Comment by alina Aguero — November 19, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

Reply
I don’t know what’s causing your brain’s electrical system to go so wacky. Some of the seizures — like the ones where you were looking at a light switch but couldn’t turn it on — sound like absence seizures. (Pardon the pun, but they’re the kind of seizures when the lights are on, but nobody’s home. You appear to be conscious but you’re in a waking daze.)

Here are the names of some docs in Florida that were recommended by the forum members of http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/efforums who have had positive experiences with these docs over the years. This list is based on their personal experiences and, of course is purely subjective. But I thought it might be a good start…

Dr. George Dmytrenko, Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola, FL

Dr. Erasmo A. Passaro, Bayfront Medical Center & Suncoast Medical Clinic, FL

Dr. Hal Pineless, Winter Park, FL

Dr. William Tatum, Tampa, FL

Hope this helps!

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 19, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

Reply
Hi Alina

My seizures have really increased since I was 21 years old. I am 66 now. Sometimes, my medicines quit working and I had to be put on new ones.

One time when my seizures increased to a status level. One time I hemorraged and went into a coma after childbirth. The second time I went into status epilepsy, it turned out I had diabetes. When I keep my diabetes under control, my seizures are under better control.

Sometimes, there can be an underlying cause.

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 19, 2009 @ 9:15 PMNov -04:00Nov

Reply
I am so hesitant to believe that epilepsy isn’t genetic in some cases. I have epilepsy, and my brother used to have it and at about age 17 it went into “remission.” Ruth’s comment about her long line of epilepsy in her family tree only confirms the idea to me that epilepsy must be genetic in some cases.

Comment by Kelly — January 20, 2010 @ 9:15 PMJan -04:00Jan

Reply
- I agree with you Kelley…just not in ALL cases…
  
  Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 20, 2010 @ 9:15 PMJan -04:00Jan
  
  Reply
  - Thanks for the good info and personal testimonies. I am looking for answers that might help our Epilepsy group. (Soon to start)
    Thanks
    
    Comment by Charlie — October 6, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct
[...] this might help: Is Epilepsy Inherited? http://epilepsytalk.com/2009/10/22/i…psy-inherited/ History Epilepsy Treatments http://www.google.com/search?q=histo…ed=0CDgQ5wIwCg History of [...]

Pingback by Research project - Epilepsy Forum — April 7, 2010 @ 9:15 PMApr -04:00Apr

Reply
- THANKS!
  
  Comment by Johnson — October 7, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct
  
  Reply
Great article PFJ! The staff at the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA was just discussing the need for some data on how often epilepsy is genetic. Thanks for providing this education. As always, you are a great source of information.

Comment by Allison — October 13, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

Reply
Thanks Allie!!!

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 13, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

Reply

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My seizures are definetely genetic in nature. My father had epilepsy, my sister and me. I think with my sister it went into remission when she was 17. It came back in her late 50′s. I also have 2 sons with epilepsy.

After my last child was born, my father’s side of the family brought someone over from Scotland to tell us of our history of epilepsy. We found out that the hereditary goes clear back to centuries.

I have 3 children, who do not have epilepsy. I am glad about that.

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 5, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

I do know that epilepsy can go into remission. But that’s usually when you get it as a young child and for some miraculous reason it dissapates at around 22. With your sister, it seems to have gone in reverse. No fair!

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 5, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

My sister did get it as a young child. She was 6 years of age. The same with my father. We lived in the coundty on a ranch for 6 years. He did not want his family to see him having any absence seizures. He got it as 6 years of age and it went into remission at 17 years of age. If his family saw him having just one absence seizure, he would have been disowned.

That is what is not fair!! This is hard to believe: my grandparents, on my father’s side of the family were sent to China to have their children. They even had a Chinese birth certificate. My father got it at 6 years of age. It went into remission at 17 years of age. Then his grand father brought him back to the USA.

The family had a shipping company. They could afford it. I wonder how many relatives I have in China. This is the truth.

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 6, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

My story: It all started w/ a cousin. His started at age 12/13? & went into remission after a few bouts (yrs) of szs. He is older then me by a few yrs & so far, Has had no further problems. My Sister, HMMM first it was 16, now it was age 12 (hormonal). Controlled after 30 yrs by diet & progesterone cream. ME: 3 KNOWN convulsions as a babe/toddler. Remission til age 26. Re-triggered by a head blow??? I think. Possibly had undetected seizures growing up???
My daughter was good until her 28th B’Day. Not sure what triggered them. But, after 5-6 yrs, her DR finally dxed her w/ Hereditary EP.

I asked a NEW neuro about Me having Hereditary Ep. His answer: Just cuz your daughter was diagnosed w/ Hereditary EP doesn’t mean yours are.

Just don’t sound rite given family history. But, yes, in a sense it does make sense. After all there are over 40 sz types/syndromes. But, I think he should have run some blood tests to determine this. Not just say NO! My daughter’s neuro seemed to think it was HIGHLY possible & would have loved having me & my daughter in his research program.

Phylis, my personal opinion: Remission can happen at any age. It can happen, like mine, after a few szs or last for yrs (like cousins) then disappear. Only to return yrs later. Or like my cousins: remain in remission. You called it the ‘stealth disorder’. Says it all! Love Candi

Comment by Candi — November 9, 2009 @ 9:15 PMNov -04:00Nov

Hi Candi,
I have never heard it the ‘stealth disorder,’ but I agree with you. It is a type of epilepsy that you think is gone forever. It returns at a later age, like my sister. Your Friend, Ruth

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 9, 2009 @ 9:15 PMNov -04:00Nov

Hi,
I have had seizures since I was 2 years old I was told they started with High Fevers. They continued like that till I was 4 years old and then I would just have a seizure with or without a temp. I was taken to a pediatric neurologist and my parents were told that I had an abnormal EEG (brain waves) so I was put on phenobarbital I would still have seizures at least once a year until I was about 13 years old. Where we got my medication at a good level and I went without a seizure until I was 19 years old. I still had a EEG every 6 months and a CT once every 2 years and the abnormal brain waves were still there just controlled by medication.
I have 4 children and none of them have seizures. No one in my family has seizures. So in my case it is not hereditary. My seizures started to increase around 2001 when I started having more than 1 a year to 2 to 3 a year. I was told I was getting more seizures due to sleep deprivation and stress. I then had a seizure were I knew what was going on but couldn’t stop it. The really weird thing was that once I was able to come out of it I couldn’t do simple things like turn on a light switch. I would be looking at it but didn’t know how to turn it on. When I spoke to my doctor she said the only way she could explain it to me was saying that my brain’s electrical system went a little haywire without throwing me into a full blown seizure. She told me to make sure that I got proper sleep. In the last 6 months my seizures have increased alot. I really need to see a really good doctor in the South Florida area. I don’t understand why they are increasing. They are increasing were I can have 1 a week for 6 weeks then go 2 months with none. Could my brain wave function be worse?

Comment by alina Aguero — November 19, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

I don’t know what’s causing your brain’s electrical system to go so wacky. Some of the seizures — like the ones where you were looking at a light switch but couldn’t turn it on — sound like absence seizures. (Pardon the pun, but they’re the kind of seizures when the lights are on, but nobody’s home. You appear to be conscious but you’re in a waking daze.)

Here are the names of some docs in Florida that were recommended by the forum members of http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/efforums who have had positive experiences with these docs over the years. This list is based on their personal experiences and, of course is purely subjective. But I thought it might be a good start…

Dr. George Dmytrenko, Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola, FL

Dr. Erasmo A. Passaro, Bayfront Medical Center & Suncoast Medical Clinic, FL

Dr. Hal Pineless, Winter Park, FL

Dr. William Tatum, Tampa, FL

Hope this helps!

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 19, 2009 @ 9:15 AMNov -04:00Nov

Hi Alina

My seizures have really increased since I was 21 years old. I am 66 now. Sometimes, my medicines quit working and I had to be put on new ones.

One time when my seizures increased to a status level. One time I hemorraged and went into a coma after childbirth. The second time I went into status epilepsy, it turned out I had diabetes. When I keep my diabetes under control, my seizures are under better control.

Sometimes, there can be an underlying cause.

Comment by Ruth Brown — November 19, 2009 @ 9:15 PMNov -04:00Nov

I am so hesitant to believe that epilepsy isn’t genetic in some cases. I have epilepsy, and my brother used to have it and at about age 17 it went into “remission.” Ruth’s comment about her long line of epilepsy in her family tree only confirms the idea to me that epilepsy must be genetic in some cases.

Comment by Kelly — January 20, 2010 @ 9:15 PMJan -04:00Jan

I agree with you Kelley…just not in ALL cases…

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 20, 2010 @ 9:15 PMJan -04:00Jan

- Thanks for the good info and personal testimonies. I am looking for answers that might help our Epilepsy group. (Soon to start)
  Thanks
  
  Comment by Charlie — October 6, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

[...] this might help: Is Epilepsy Inherited? http://epilepsytalk.com/2009/10/22/i…psy-inherited/ History Epilepsy Treatments http://www.google.com/search?q=histo…ed=0CDgQ5wIwCg History of [...]

Pingback by Research project - Epilepsy Forum — April 7, 2010 @ 9:15 PMApr -04:00Apr

THANKS!

Comment by Johnson — October 7, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

Great article PFJ! The staff at the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA was just discussing the need for some data on how often epilepsy is genetic. Thanks for providing this education. As always, you are a great source of information.

Comment by Allison — October 13, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

Thanks Allie!!!

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 13, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

Epilepsy Talk