Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder where seizures occur, which are changes in sensation, awareness, or behavior brought about by too many neurons discharging in the brain at once. There are more than 20 different types of seizures . The most well known are grand mal seizures (also called tonic clonic seizures) where the patient loses consciousness. In petit mal seizures (absence) the patient loses awareness, and stares off into space. There are also seizures that cause spasms or jerks.
The prevalence of seizures in the general population is ~1%, however many of these cases are caused by environmental factors such as car accidents, drug use, etc… There are also many disorders that are associated with seizures, e.g. autism. Some epilepsy shows a strong genetic component, my research involves finding genes for these idiopathic epilepsies. I am specifically interested in the contributions and effects of light triggers with regards to epilepsy, and specific disorders of photosensitive epilepsy and photogenic epilepsy.

NINDS Epilepsy information page

American Epilepsy Society

Epilepsy Foundation

Epilepsy Foundation of Southern California

International League Against Epilepsy

Seizure Guide

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