Genetic Causes of Epilepsy

Most often, treatment for genetic epilepsy is with anti-seizure medicine, that is chosen based on the seizure type or syndrome.  

Some genetic changes result in metabolic abnormalities and a specific supplement or special diet can be helpful.

As we understand more about the genetic changes in some of the rare epilepsies that are due to an abnormality in a single gene, we will begin to see treatments that can target the specific gene abnormality. Such therapies may have the potential to reduce other challenges often seen with these epilepsies, such as learning problems and intellectual disability, as well as improve seizures. However, therapies targeting specific rare genes are in the research phase, and not yet available for these rare epilepsies.